Abstract
Over the past few decades, an increase in the prevalence of asthma and food allergy has been observed in the pediatric population. In infants, food sensitization, particularly to egg, has increased the risk of developing allergic asthma. This is even more likely if sensitization to food allergens occurs early within the first few years of life. It is indeed known that both diseases may be present simultaneously in the pediatric population, but coexistence may negatively influence the severity of both conditions by increasing the risk of life-threatening asthmatic episodes as well as food-related anaphylaxis. Therefore, an accurate clinical and phenotype characterization of this high-risk group of children with both asthma and food allergy and a more aggressive management might lead to reducing related morbidity and mortality. The aim of this review is to provide an updated overview on the close link between food allergy and asthma and their negative mutual influence.
Highlights
IntroductionThe strong association between asthma and food allergy is well recognized, but their exact interaction and the underlying mechanisms are still under investigation.Over the past few decades, an increase in the prevalence of these two atopic conditions has been observed in the pediatric population with a variability reported from 3.5% to 8% of children having food allergies [1,2,3] and about 14% of children experiencing asthma [4].It is known that 48% of asthmatic patients have food allergy [5] and about half of food allergic children have allergic reactions with respiratory symptoms [6].The frequency of food sensitization for egg, milk, soy, peanut, wheat, and fish is higher in asthmatics compared to non-asthmatic patients [7,8]; 45% of asthmatics are sensitized to at least one of these foods [7]
This paper reviewed the most important and recent publications concerning the close link between food allergy and asthma and their mutual influence
This paper highlights the importance of the association between asthma and food allergy and their mutual influence, even if the mechanisms underlying their coexistence are still not yet clear
Summary
The strong association between asthma and food allergy is well recognized, but their exact interaction and the underlying mechanisms are still under investigation.Over the past few decades, an increase in the prevalence of these two atopic conditions has been observed in the pediatric population with a variability reported from 3.5% to 8% of children having food allergies [1,2,3] and about 14% of children experiencing asthma [4].It is known that 48% of asthmatic patients have food allergy [5] and about half of food allergic children have allergic reactions with respiratory symptoms [6].The frequency of food sensitization for egg, milk, soy, peanut, wheat, and fish is higher in asthmatics compared to non-asthmatic patients [7,8]; 45% of asthmatics are sensitized to at least one of these foods [7]. The strong association between asthma and food allergy is well recognized, but their exact interaction and the underlying mechanisms are still under investigation. Over the past few decades, an increase in the prevalence of these two atopic conditions has been observed in the pediatric population with a variability reported from 3.5% to 8% of children having food allergies [1,2,3] and about 14% of children experiencing asthma [4]. Patients with multiple and severe food allergies often present asthma often associated with poor control [9,10]. The coexistence of asthma and food allergy is of significant clinical relevance as it increases the risk of life-threatening asthmatic episodes as well as both food allergen triggered asthmatic episodes or food-related anaphylaxis. It is necessary for clinicians to thoroughly investigate the simultaneous presence of both conditions in order to provide patients with the correct dietary indications and treatments (i.e., inhaled beta-agonists and self-injectable adrenaline devices) for potentially life-threatening events
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