Jul 27, 2009 10:45 pm US/Eastern
Food Allergy Research Making Strides At Children's
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
The number of people suffering from food allergies is soaring, and no one really knows why. What is clear is that there is no cure.
But that could be changing. Research being conducted at Children's Hospital Boston has kids eating the very foods that once threatened their lives.
When snacks are served to the children at the Jewish Community Center of the North Shore in Marblehead, the staff has to be incredibly vigilant. All the labels on each individual product must be checked before any food is given to a child.
Sandy Hoffman is in charge of early education programs and has been working with children for years. She says the situation has changed dramatically.
"Twenty-five years ago a staple snack at preschool was peanut butter. Everybody had peanut butter, and I don't remember many allergies those years ago," says Hoffman.
But it's not just peanuts. 12 million Americans now have to avoid foods like shellfish, and tree nuts such as almonds.
SEVERE REACTIONS
Here's what happens when someone suffers from a food allergy. The body treats the food sort of like an enemy and attacks it. That's what we think of as an allergic reaction. It can lead to hives, digestive problems, and in the worst cases, even death.
Robyn Nasuti has two children with food allergies and says it's a terrifying situation.
"Most parents send their child off and don't expect that their child could be put in a life threatening situation," says Nasuite who adds that every time her son Brett leaves the house, he has to have an EpiPen with him.
Brett was diagnosed with fifteen food allergies by his first birthday. The reactions were often severe, and frightening according to Robyn.
'Within about 3-4 minutes, he started to get hives down his neck and his face started to swell up on the right side, and he started having trouble breathing," says Robyn.
GRADUAL EXPOSURE
Dr. Dale Umetsu of Children's Hospital Boston says there are no current cures for food allergies. He's conducting research that he hopes will change that one day.
For example, milk once made Brett violently ill. But he is now drinking it under supervision. The approach is to give a patient a miniscule amount of the allergen, and then gradually increase it.
"We are trying to fool the body to think that it's not an allergen and have the immune system somehow develop a tolerance for this," says Dr. Umetsu.
Right now, the study is focusing on milk, but Dr. Umetsu sees a lot of potential. "It could be almost any food, and we are very excited about this because if it works, we will have a cure for food allergy."
"Just to think someday I might be able to have pizza or ice cream with my friends at school," says Brett.
Doctors warn that no one should try this approach on their own. For example, Brett was in the hospital drinking his milk and had his vital signs checked every 15 minutes.
There are still a few slots left in this study. Any one interested should contact the program directly:
Irene Borrás, Clinical Research Coordinator
Children's Hospital Boston
617-355-6127
irene.borras@childrens.harvard.edu
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