A remarkable food allergy in children: cashew nut allergy

Özet

Objective: The prevalence of cashew nut allergy is increasing. Clinical reaction to cashew nuts may be severe, including anaphylaxis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the frequency of ca-shew nut sensitivity in a group of children with food allergy and the clinical features and course of cashew nut allergy.Material and Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on 516 children who pre-sented with food allergy at a pediatric allergy department. Individuals sensitized to cashew nuts were examined.Results: Cashew nut sensitization was detected in 17 (64.7% male; mean age of symptom onset, 14 months) of 516 patients with food allergy. Skin symptoms were the most frequent clinical pre-sentation, followed by gastrointestinal symptoms. Overall, 29.4% of the patients presented with anaphylaxis. All anaphylactic reactions were developed after the first consumption of cashew nuts. Of the cashew nut–sensitized patients, 82.3% were diagnosed with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, and all of them had multiple food allergies. During the follow-up, 90% of the patients who had cashew nut sensitization and co-existing food allergies to cow’s milk and/or hen’s egg developed tolerance to cow’s milk and/or hen’s egg, but none of the patients could tolerate cashew nut ingestion.Conclusion: Cashew nut is a potent allergen, causing severe allergic reactions that persist long term compared with other food allergies. Early onset of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and multiple food allergies are remarkable co-existing conditions in children who have been diagnosed with cashew nut allergy. Pediatricians should be aware of this emerging food al-lergy.