Food Additives In Children Research Articles

Results of the use of biologically active foodadditives in children with signs of asthenia and asthenopia

Results of the use of biologically active foodadditives in children with signs of asthenia and asthenopia

Adverse reactions to food additives in children: A retrospective study and a prospective survey

BackgroundAllergic reactions to food additives are often suspected by families. The aim of this study was to describe oral food challenge (OFC) outcomes in a pediatric cohort with a suspected diagnosis of allergy to food additives (food dyes or sodium benzoate). MethodsAll patients who underwent an open OFC to carmine red, cochineal red, erythrosine, patent blue V, tartrazine, yellow sunset S, and/or sodium benzoate were included. A survey was sent to families after testing to evaluate whether the OFC results had altered feeding behaviors with food additives. ResultsTwenty-three patients were included. The main suspected food was candy (n=11/23; 48%). Only one OFC out of 45 was formally positive for the carmine and cochineal red. Subsequently, most OFCs were negative (44/45; 97.8%). Despite the negativity of the challenge, four families out of 14 reported occurrences of supposed allergic reactions to food additives and six out of 15 continued to completely avoid the additive of concern in their children's diet. ConclusionsAllergies to food additives remain rare. Even if an IgE-mediated allergy was excluded with a negative OFC, families remained suspicious about ready-made products. Health professionals and parents should be reassured about the low risk of food dye intolerance or allergies.

Evaluation of contact sensitivity to food additives in children with atopic dermatitis.

IntroductionAtopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by the complex interaction of genetic, immune and environmental factors such as food and airborne allergens. The atopy patch test (APT) is a useful way to determine delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions to food and aeroallergens. Many studies have also suggested that food additives are associated with dermatologic adverse reactions and the aggravation of pre-existing atopic dermatitis symptoms.AimTo elucidate the contact sensitivity to food additives in children suffering from AD by using standardized atopy patch testing.Material and methodsA total of 45 children with AD and 20 healthy children have been enrolled. All the children have regularly consumed food containing additives, and were subjected to atopy patch tests.ResultsIn total, 28 (62%) children with AD and 4 (20%) healthy children have had positive patch test reactions to ≥ 1 allergens. There has been a significant difference (p = 0.04) between the groups in terms of the positivity rate in the patch test and the most common allergen that elicited positive patch test results in the AD group was azorubine (n = 11, 24.4%, p = 0.014).ConclusionsIn our study, contact sensitivity was detected more frequently in AD patients. Food additives may play a role in the development and exacerbation of AD. Atopy patch testing with food additives can be useful in the treatment and follow-up of children with AD.

Can allergy patch tests with food additives help to diagnose the cause in childhood chronic spontaneous urticaria?

IntroductionChronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is characterized by the onset of symptoms which are not induced by specific triggers, but are rather spontaneous. A considerable number of patients report that foods or food additives might be responsible for their chronic urticaria.AimTo determine the prevalence of sensitization to food additives in children with CSU using atopy patch tests (ATP).Material and methodsAtopy patch tests for 23 different food additives were applied to 120 children with CSU and 61 healthy controls.ResultsSeventeen (14.1%) children with CSU were sensitized with food additives. None of the control group had positive APT. Azorubine and Cochineal red were the food additives detected with the highest sensitization rates (5.8% (n = 7) and 6.7% (n = 8), respectively).ConclusionsThere can be an association between food additives and CSU. APT tests may be a helpful tool in the assessment and management of CSU so that easier to follow diets and effective treatments can be offered to families.

Is Patch Testing with Food Additives Useful in Children with Atopic Eczema?

Atopy patch testing is a useful way to determine delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions to foods and aeroallergens. Although food additives have been accused of worsening atopic eczema symptoms, according to recent studies the role of food additives in atopic eczema remains unclear. The purpose of our study was to investigate food additive hypersensitivity in a group of children with atopic eczema by using standardized atopy patch testing and to determine the role of food additive hypersensitivity in atopic eczema. Thirty-four children with atopic eczema and 33 healthy children were enrolled in the study. Children who consumed foods containing additives and did not use either antihistamines or local or systemic corticosteroids for at least 7 days prior to admission were enrolled in the study. All children were subjected to atopy patch testing and after 48 and 72 hours their skin reactions were evaluated by using the guidelines. Positive atopy patch test results were significantly higher in the atopic eczema group. Forty-one percent of the atopic eczema group (n = 14) and 15.2% (n = 5) of the control group had positive atopy patch test results with food additives (p = 0.036) (estimated relative risk 1.68, case odds 0.7, control odds 0.17). Carmine hypersensitivity and the consumption of foods containing carmine, such as gumdrops, salami, and sausage, were significantly higher in the children with atopic eczema. This is the first study investigating hypersensitivity to food additives in children with atopic eczema. Our results indicate that carmine may play a role in atopic eczema.

Estimation of daily intakes of food additives in children using market basket method (2009)

Estimation of daily intakes of food additives in children using market basket method (2009)

Estimation of daily intakes of food additives in children using market basket method (2014)

Estimation of daily intakes of food additives in children using market basket method (2014)

Adverse reactions to food additives in children with atopic symptoms

In a multicenter study conducted at four Danish hospital pediatric departments, the parents of 472 consecutive children were informed of this project to determine the incidence of intolerance of food additives among children referred to an allergy clinic with symptoms of asthma, atopic dermatitis, rhinitis, or urticaria. After a 2-week period on an additive-free diet, the children were challenged with the eliminated additives. The food additives investigated were coloring agents, preservatives, citric acid, and flavoring agents. Carbonated "lemonade" containing the dissolved additives was used for the open challenge. Two doses were used: a low dose and a 10-fold higher dose. Gelatin capsules were used for a double-blind challenge. The children were 4-15 years old, and they were attending an outpatient pediatric clinic for the first time. Of the 379 patients who entered the study, 44 were excluded and 335 were subjected to open challenge. A total of 23 children developed positive reactions after the open challenge. Sixteen of these patients accepted the double-blind challenge, and six showed a positive reaction to preservatives (atopic dermatitis, asthma, rhinitis), coloring agents (atopic dermatitis, asthma, urticaria, gastrointestinal symptoms), and citric acid (atopic dermatitis, gastrointestinal symptoms). The incidence of intolerance of food additives was 2% (6/335), as based on the double-blind challenge, and 7% (23/335), as based on the open challenge with lemonade. Children with atopic skin symptoms had a statistically increased risk of a positive reaction. This may have consequences for the future clinical investigation of children with atopic cutaneous symptoms.