Clinical characteristics of 21 children with wheat allergy / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To analyze and summarize the clinical features of wheat allergy in children, and to increase the awareness and diagnosis of food allergy in children.Methods:Children suspected with wheat allergy in the Department of Allergy, Children′s Hospital of Capital Institute of Pediatrics from December 2018 to November 2019 were included.Clinical data were collected, including the demographic profile, serum allergen specific immunoglobulin E(IgE) detection, peripheral eosinophil detection, and skin prick testing.Results:A total of 21 cases were included, consisting of 15 males and 6 females, aged (21.5±12.8) months.The children developed allergic symptoms after intake of wheat products or contact with wheat flour.The most common clinical manifestations were cutaneous (20/21 cases, 95.2%), followed by respiratory (7/21 cases, 33.3%), digestive (6/21 cases, 28.6%) and nervous (1/21 cases, 4.8%) symptoms.Eleven children had anaphylaxis.Laboratory allergy test showed that the detection level of serum wheat-specific IgE in 21 children was 1.46 to 100.00 kU/L, and when the specific IgE level was in grade Ⅴ or above, the risk of serious allergic reaction was increased in children ( P<0.05). Five of them tested positive in the wheat skin prick test.The peripheral eosinophil ratio in children was 0.04-0.12.All children had a history of other food allergies and family allergies. Conclusions:Wheat allergy in children has early onset and diversified clinical manifestations, mainly skin symptoms.Serum specific IgE detection shows an important role in the diagnosis and evaluation of wheat allergy.The highly sensitized individuals are prone to anaphylaxis.