11/3- Pediatric Allergic Disease Flashcards
What is another name for atopic dermatitis?
Eczema
What is the “Atopic (Allergic) March”?
The typical progression of allergic diseases that begin early in childhood
- Atopic dermatitis (eczema) (birth+)
- Food allergy
- Allergic rhinitis (3-5 yo)
- Asthma
What is atopic dermatitis?
- Genetic component
- Prevalence
Chronic, inflammatory skin disease
- Involves a genetic defect in the proteins supporting the epidermal barrier
- Relapsing, itchy skin condition
- Affects 15-20% of children
- Also known as “eczema” or “atopic eczema”
Describe the natural history of atopic dermatitis?
- Onset
- Progression
Onset
- 60% in 1st yr
- 85% before 5 yo
Remission
- 70% before adolescence
IgE sensitization
- Only 50% of children < 2 yo
- 80% of older children and adults
T/F: there is a genetic predisposition to atopic dermatitis?
True
What are major genetic components/mutations contributing to atopic dermatitis?
Filaggrin mutations
- Atopic dermatitis
- Allergic asthma
- Peanut allergy
What are causes of the following clinical features?
What are consequences of these causes?
What is seen here?
Ichthyosis
What is seen here?
Excoriation/lichenification
Secondary infection may also occur with atopic dermatitis/eczema. List some of these:
- Bacterial
- Viral
- Mycotic
Bacterial
- Impetiginization
- Polyclonal activation of T-lymphocytes by bacterial exotoxins
Viral
- Localize: human papilloma, molluscum, herpes
- Systemic: eczema herpeticum
Mycotic
- Malassezia
- Dermatophytes, candida
What are some trigger factors of atopic dermatitis?
- Irritants (wool, detergents, disinfectants, cosmetics)
- Microbial agents (Staph aureus, other bacteria, Malassezia furfur, viral infxns)
- Emotional (stress)
- Food allergens (cow’s milk, wheat, egg, soy)
- Aeroallergens (house dust mite, animal dander, tree and grass pollen, mold/fungal allergies)
What are the basic principles of therapy with atopic dermatitis?
Recall AD is associated with:
- Epidermal barrier dysfunction
- Immunological dysregulation
Long-term management involves
- Moistures for skin hydration
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Flare prevention by avoidance of proven allergens
For the most severe cases, may use cyclosporin or UV therapy, but the mainstay of treatment are anti-inflammatories and moisturizers
What is the definition of a food allergy?
FA is an adverse health effect arising from a specific immune response that occurs reproducibly upon exposure to a given food
Two important points:
- FA is defined as an adverse health effect, not simply having a positive skin prick test or elevated IgE (need hives, vomiting, diarrhea…)
- FA arises from a specific immune response, thus distinguishing it from food intolerance
What are common food allergens?
Proteins or glycoproteins (not fat or carbs)
- Generally heat resistant, acid stable
Major allergenic foods (>85% of food allergies):
- Children: mlik, egg, soy, wheat, peanut, tree nuts
- Adults: peanut, tree nuts, shellfish, fish, fruits, and vegetables
What is the prevalence of food allergies?
- Adults vs. kids
- Prevalence higher in what populations
- Prevalence increasing or decreasing
- Public perception: 20-25%
- Confirmed allergy (oral challenge)
- Adults: 2-3.5%
- Infants/children: 6-8%
- Specific allergens depend upon societal eating and cooking patterns
- Prevalence is higher in those with:
- Atopic dermatitis
- Certain pollen allergies
- Latex allergies
- Prevalence seems to be increasing
What are the immune mechanisms behind food allergies?
- Protein digestion, antigen processing, and some Ag enters blood
- APC is responsible for non-IgE mediated reactions (delayed)
- TNF-a and IL-5
- Activates T cell and B cell to produce IgE
- IgE binds mast cell and causes release of histamine
What are signs/symptoms of IgE and non-IgE allergic reactions?
IgE (acute):
- Skin: urticaria, angioedema, atopic dermatitis
- Respiratory: throat tightness, asthma
- Gut: vomit, diarrhea, pain
- Anaphylaxis
Non-IgE (chronic):
- Atopic dermatitis
- Gut: vomit, diarrhea, pain
What is the #1 cause of anaphylaxis in the ED?
Food allergies
What is food-induced anaphylaxis?
- # 1 cause of anaphylaxis in the ED
- Rapid-onset, up to 30% biphasic
- May be localized (single organ) or generalized
- Potentially fatal
- Any food, highest risk: peanut, tree nut, seafood (cow’s milk and egg in young children)