Cashew nut allergy in Singaporean children
10.5415/apallergy.2018.8.e29
- Author:
Spurthi CHITTA
1
;
Berenice Xueli LIAN
;
Rajeshwar RAO
;
Wenyin LOH
;
Anne GOH
;
Kok Wee CHONG
Author Information
1. Allergy Service, Department of Paediatric Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore. chong.kok.wee@singhealth.com.sg
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Cashew nut allergy;
Tree nuts;
Singapore children
- MeSH:
Anacardium;
Anaphylaxis;
Arachis;
Child;
Demography;
Humans;
Immunoglobulin E;
Nut Hypersensitivity;
Nuts;
Pistacia;
Prevalence;
Referral and Consultation;
Retrospective Studies;
Singapore
- From:
Asia Pacific Allergy
2018;8(3):e29-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: There has been an increasing trend of nut allergies in Singapore. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to review the clinical characteristics of children with cashew nut allergy. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted in a tertiary paediatric referral centre in Singapore from 2008 to 2015. A total of 99 subjects with positive specific IgE (≥0.35 IU/L) to cashew nut were identified. Clinical features including demographics, clinical reaction to cashew nut, associations with other nuts and test specific measurements were recorded. RESULTS: The results showed that cutaneous symptoms (71.2%) were the most common allergic manifestations. Anaphylaxis occurred in 3.8% of children. In addition, all cashew nut allergic subjects were cross-reactive (either sensitized or allergic) to pistachio. Cross-reactivity rate with peanuts was 53.8%. There was a strong prevalence of atopy among cashew nut allergic subjects. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, cashew nut allergy is a significant tree nut allergy in Singapore.
