ASCIA‐P21: OPEN FOOD CHALLENGES IN A REGIONAL GENERAL PAEDIATRIC SERVICE: A FIVE YEAR RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW OF WOLLONGONG HOSPITAL DATA

Abstract

Oral Allergen Testing (Food Challenge) in Australia is provided by specialist allergy services. There can be lengthy waiting periods for Food Challenges with the increasing prevalence of food allergy. Provision of Food Challenges by general paediatric departments could help address this service shortfall. To determine the safety and effectiveness of a regional paediatric Food Challenge service, we conducted a retrospective review of Food Challenges at the Wollongong Hospital. Wollongong Hospital medical record review was conducted for all patients who underwent Food Challenges during the period Jan 2010 – Sept 2015. Data collection included the number of Challenges per year, the variety of foods challenged, the presence or absence of reactions and the outcome of any reactions. Correlation was made between Food Challenge results and pre-Challenge Skin Prick Test (SPT) results. There were 164 paediatric Food Challenges performed at The Wollongong Hospital during the period Jan 2010 – Sep 2015. The number of Challenges per year increased over the years 2010 and 2011, remained constant for the years 2012 to 2014, then increased further in 2015. Eighteen different foods were challenged in total. The most challenged food was cooked egg, followed by peanut. There were 26 Food Challenge reactions in total. All were mild to moderate in severity. Most reactions required anti-histamine treatment and none required adrenaline. There were no adverse outcomes. There was incomplete correlation between Food Challenge results and pre-Challenge SPT results. The increasing demand on allergy services in the Australian paediatric population may be addressed by a collaborative approach between allergists and general paediatricians. Oral Allergen Testing has been safely and effectively provided by The Wollongong Hospital general paediatric service since 2010. This should encourage further Australian general paediatric departments to provide a Food Challenge service.