A study presented at the American College of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology Scientific Meeting found that subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy may be effective in reducing symptoms of pollen food allergy syndrome in children. “Subcutaneous immunotherapy been shown to be effective in adults in reducing [pollen food allergy syndrome] symptoms, but not widely studied in children,” according to Sean Gallagher, of Thomas Jefferson University and the Alfred I. Dupont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware.

Pollen food allergy syndrome occurs in patients with cross-reacting allergens found in pollen and fruits, vegetables or certain tree nuts and can cause itchy mouth, scratchy throat and swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue and throat, according to a press release.  Twenty patients aged 9 to 18 years who were currently receiving subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy were asked to complete a seven-question survey about their symptoms.

Survey responses were compared with results from patients’ skin prick tests prior to starting subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy. Researchers found that 55% of respondents reported having improved pollen food allergy syndrome symptoms, and 20% reported no change in symptoms. A quarter of respondents did not attempt to reintroduce food that caused symptoms. The results suggest subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy could improve symptoms of pollen food allergy syndrome in pediatric patients allergic to birch, mugwort, types of grasses, and ragweed.

Researchers noted that further prospective studies are needed to follow patients’ symptoms throughout subcutaneous allergen therapy and to compare them patients not on receiving therapy.  Gallagher explained that these results “provide further incentives in participating in subcutaneous immunotherapy.”– by Erin Michael

Reference:

Gallagher S, et al. P316. Presented at: American College of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology Scientific Meeting; Nov. 7-11, 2019; Houston.