Disease Progression—the Allergy March

In children, allergic sensitivities to food can manifest as gastrointestinal (GI) distress, a range of common symptoms and conditions affecting the upper and lower GI tract. These ailments overlap between allergic and non-allergic etiologies, making underlying allergy all the more difficult to detect when it does occur.

In young children, allergen sensitivities to food can cause a range of GI symptoms, including^1,2

• Colic

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Constipation

• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

When atopy is involved, GI distress can have long-term consequences. Left undiagnosed, it may progress to a failure to thrive.² In addition, it has been determined that children with early and long-lasting food sensitization are three times more likely to develop allergic rhinitis, and five times more likely to develop asthma.³

GI distress facts and figures

• 50% to 60% of allergic infants show GI symptoms²

• In 16% to 42% of infants, gastroesophageal reflux is caused by an allergy to cow’s milk⁴

• It is estimated that in 10% to 15% of infants with colic, food sensitivity is the underlying cause⁵

Why you should know the true cause
In gastrointestinal distress, differentiating between allergic and non-allergic etiologies can change your management approach.¹ Confirmed knowledge of underlying atopic disease allows the incorporation of avoidance measures and other allergy-based therapies.^1,2 Click here to learn how specific IgE testing may help you accurately diagnose and manage allergy-based gastrointestinal distress.