THE NATURAL-HISTORY OF FOOD SENSITIVITY

The natural history of food sensitivity has long been the subject of anecdotes about children outgrowing their problem, but prospective systematic studies are not easily found that document these opinions. Children who had had adverse reactions to foods, during double-blind food challenges 1-7 yr prior to the study were evaluated. In children over 3 yr of age, 19% of the previously positive food challenges were negative at the time of the follow-up; in children 3 yr of age or younger, 44% of the food challenges that had been positive were negative. Children who have their food sensitivity diagnosed at older ages tend not to outgrow the problem. Skin testing was performed over a period of years on some of the subjects, and skin sensitization was markedly persistent, even in subjects who could consume the sensitizing food without symptoms.