Food Allergy and Pediatric Nutrition: Understanding Replacement Needs for the Community Allergist

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Food allergies are reported to affect between 7% and 10% of children in the developed world. Most children develop food allergies within the first 2 years of life, which is a crucial period of growthand development. Currently, no cure exists for food allergies; traditionally they are managed by avoiding the ingestion of the allergen to which a child is allergic. Additional emerging therapies include desensitization and/or inducing tolerance to the allergens. Eight foods account for more than 90% of food allergies: milk, soy, wheat, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish. The elimination of any of the nutrient-dense foods from the diet without adequate substitution may result in poor nutrient intake and impaired growth in children.