Food allergens in children with food hypersensitivity.

Food hypersensitivity is increasing, with clinical indications and allergens multiplying and evolving. We report our experience with clinical indications and distribution of allergens in children with food hypersensitivity. Data were established in a prospective study at medical centres in Nancy and Toulouse (France). We studied 378 children with food hypersensitivity indicated by food challenge, which account for 74.2% of food hypersensitivity. Clinical features were: atopic dermatitis (46.5%), urticaria (17.9%), oedema (14.2%), asthma (8.4%), anaphylaxis (5.2%), gastro-intestinal symptoms (2.1%), oral syndrome (1.8%) and rhino-conjunctivitis (0.5%). Five allergens accounted for 82% of confirmed food hypersensitivity: egg (51.8%), peanut (34.3%), milk (11.6%), mustard (8.9%) and codfish (7.1%). Allergens according to the symptoms showed that peanut allergies were more serious than other food allergy. Allergens according to age showed that peanut allergy is the first food allergy occurring after the age of three. There exists a modification in children's allergen distribution. peanut allergy is increasing seriously, and diagnosis with food challenge is a necessity. (C) 1999 Elsevier, Paris.