Understanding Pediatric Gastric Allergy: Causes and Symptoms
Pediatric Gastric Allergy, also referred to as gastric food allergy, is a condition wherein the immune system reacts adversely to specific foods, causing inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract of children. Unlike typical food allergies that might cause hives, respiratory issues, or anaphylaxis, gastric food allergies predominantly manifest as gastrointestinal symptoms. Children with this condition may experience recurrent abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, vomiting, and gastroesophageal reflux. The underlying cause is often an immune response to food proteins such as those found in milk, eggs, wheat, soy, nuts, and seafood. These immune reactions lead to inflammation and irritation of the stomach lining, causing the aforementioned symptoms.
Navigating Pediatric Gastric Allergy: Diagnosis and Challenges
Diagnosing gastric pediatric allergy involves a comprehensive approach, including a detailed medical history, physical examination, and various diagnostic tests. Allergy testing, such as skin prick tests or specific IgE blood tests, can help identify potential allergens. An elimination diet, where suspected foods are removed from the diet and then reintroduced one by one, can also pinpoint trigger foods. In some cases, endoscopic procedures with biopsies are performed to assess the extent of inflammation and rule out other conditions such as eosinophilic esophagitis or celiac disease. One of the main challenges in diagnosing gastric pediatric allergy is the overlap of symptoms with other gastrointestinal disorders, which requires careful differentiation by pediatric gastroenterologists and allergists.