Journal List > Pediatr Allergy Respir Dis > v.22(1) > 1033201

Song, Kim, Kim, Kim, Kim, Park, Ahn, Yang, Yum, Lee, Jeon, Pyun, and Atopic Dermatitis Study Group, The Korean Academy of Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Diseases: Guidelines for the Oral Food Challenges in Children

Abstract

Oral food challenge is a definitive diagnostic test for immediate and occasionally delayed adverse reaction to foods. The gold standard for diagnosing food allergy is still the double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge, but it is time-consuming, expensive and troublesome for physician and patients. Open oral food challenge controlled by trained personnel is useful and sufficient methods when concern of bias is low. We aimed to provide a practical guideline for oral food challenge in children for the diagnosis of suspected food allergy or the evaluation of food tolerance. We considered reasons, types, indications, contraindications, risks, benefits, detailed methods, practical performance, interpretations of test results, and treatments for the adverse reactions of oral food challenge.

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Fig. 1.
Flow sheet for the diagnostic work-up of children with suspected food-related clinical symptoms. IgE, immunoglobulin E; SPT, skin prick test. ∗In cases with milk, egg, peanut, and white fish. (Immunocap, Phadia AB, Uppsala, Sweden)
pard-22-4f1.tif
Fig. 2.
Decision tree for various situations during oral food challenge procedures.
pard-22-4f2.tif
Table 1.
Guidelines for Discontinuation of Medications before Oral Food Challenge (OFC)
Medication Last dose before OFC
Oral antihistamines 3–10 days
Cetirizine 5–7 days
Diphenhydramine 3 days
Fexofenadine 3 days
Hydroxyzine 7–10 days
Loratadine 7 days
Antihistamine nose spray 12 hours
Oral H2 receptor antagonist 12 hours
Antidepressants 3 days-3 weeks, drug-dependent and dose-dependent
Oral/intramuscular/intravenous steroids 3 days-2 weeks
Leukotriene antagonist 24 hours
Short-acting bronchodilator  
  Albuterol, metaproterenol 8 hours
  Turbutaline, isoproterenol 24 hours
Long-acting bronchodilator  
  Salmeterol, formoterol 48 hours
Inhaled cromolyn sodium 48 hours
Theophylline (liquid) 24 hours
Theophylline long-acting 48 hours
Ipratropium bromide (inhaled/intranasal) 4–12 hours depending on formulation and dosing
Oral intranasal α-adrenergic agents Interval
Oral β-agonist 12 hours
Oral long-acting β2-agonist 24 hours
Drug that may be continued(  
  Antihistamine eye drops  
  Inhaled/intranasal corticosteroids  
  Topical steroids  
  Topical immunosuppressive preparations:pimecrolimus, tacrolimus  
Table 2.
Case Examples of Challenge Doses for Oral Food Challenges
Example 1) Egg, boiled, medium-sized (total dose 55 g): preparation with cutting.
Time (min) Dose
0 Lip provocation
15 1/48
30 1/24
45 1/8
60 1/4
75 Rest
135 (observation)

Clinician may use egg white and/or egg yolk according to patients.

Amount of doses may be adjusted on the basis of a patient's history.

Example 2.
Egg, boiled, medium-sized (total dose 55 g): preparation with scales
Time (min) Dose (g)
0 Lip provocation
15 1
30 2
45 6
60 18
75 Rest
135 (observation)

Clinician may use egg white and/or egg yolk according to patients.

Amount of doses may be adjusted on the basis of a patient's history.

Example 3
Milk 200 mL (except for low-fat or fortified milk)
Time (min) Dose (mL)
0 Lip provocation
15 1
30 2
45 6
60 18
75 54
90 Rest
135 (observation)

Amount of doses may be adjusted on the basis of a patient's history.

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