A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Allergic infants: Growth and implications while on exclusion diets
Authors: Laitinen K, Isolauri E
Publication year: 2007
Journal:: Nestle Nutrition Workshop Series
Journal name in source: Issues in Complementary Feeding
Journal acronym: NESTLE NUTR WORKS SE
Volume: 60
First page : 157
Last page: 169
Number of pages: 5
ISBN: 978-3-8055-8283-4
ISSN: 0742-2806
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1159/000106367
Abstract
The complex nature of allergic disease exposes infants to an increased risk of nutritional inadequacies. Allergic inflammation requiring extensive dietary regimens may underlie the poor growth frequently reported. Nutritional management is directed towards the prevention of explicitly diet-related deficiencies, the mainstay of treatment of food allergy being strict avoidance of offending antigens in the diet. The advantage of elimination diets lies in silencing the specific allergic inflammation induced by the food responsible, the effect thus being antigen-specific. Concomitantly, food may also contain immunomodulatory factors, and indeed research into the management of allergic disease is evolving from passive allergen avoidance to the invention of novel dietary compounds with specific effects in alleviating the immunoinflammatory reaction and stabilizing the gut mucosal barrier. Active schemes include supplementation of nutrients, particularly fatty acids and antioxidant vitamins, and probiotics with properties influencing immunoregulatory pathways. However, the conceivable joint effects of a range of nutrients and other potentially active components in the subject's habitual diet cannot be ruled out. Prior to implementation of these concepts in management regimes or products for infants, further exploration of their effects and mechanisms, including both short- and long-term safety evaluation, is called for. Copyright (c) 2007 Nestec Ltd., Vevey/S. Karger AG, Basel.
The complex nature of allergic disease exposes infants to an increased risk of nutritional inadequacies. Allergic inflammation requiring extensive dietary regimens may underlie the poor growth frequently reported. Nutritional management is directed towards the prevention of explicitly diet-related deficiencies, the mainstay of treatment of food allergy being strict avoidance of offending antigens in the diet. The advantage of elimination diets lies in silencing the specific allergic inflammation induced by the food responsible, the effect thus being antigen-specific. Concomitantly, food may also contain immunomodulatory factors, and indeed research into the management of allergic disease is evolving from passive allergen avoidance to the invention of novel dietary compounds with specific effects in alleviating the immunoinflammatory reaction and stabilizing the gut mucosal barrier. Active schemes include supplementation of nutrients, particularly fatty acids and antioxidant vitamins, and probiotics with properties influencing immunoregulatory pathways. However, the conceivable joint effects of a range of nutrients and other potentially active components in the subject's habitual diet cannot be ruled out. Prior to implementation of these concepts in management regimes or products for infants, further exploration of their effects and mechanisms, including both short- and long-term safety evaluation, is called for. Copyright (c) 2007 Nestec Ltd., Vevey/S. Karger AG, Basel.
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