Neonatal food allergy / 中国当代儿科杂志

ABSTRACT

Food allergy is defined as abnormal immune response elicited by food intake, in which a variety of clinical symptoms will appear as a result of physiological dysfunction and/or tissue damage. Possible mechanisms for food allergy include gastrointestinal tract barrier damage, failure to induce oral immune tolerance, intrauterine sensitization, and allergen transmission during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Hereditary and environmental factors can also contribute to the disease. Gastrointestinal disorders are the main clinical manifestations of the disease. However, hypoalbuminemia, growth retardation, and even acute circulatory failure or shock may occur in severe cases. Oral food challenges are the "gold standard" for the diagnosis of food allergy. Avoidance and replacement of the responsible food are the only effective treatment options for neonatal food allergy. The use of probiotics can offer protection against the disease.