Food Intolerance and Allergy

R Food allergy is mediated by an immune reaction against food proteins, whereas food intolerances can be caused by any food constituent and do not involve immunological mechanisms R The treatment of food allergies involves strict avoidance of the offending food antigen, either by use of a hypoallergenic infant formula or a specific elimination diet. By contrast, in patients with food intolerances small quantities of the offending food ingredient are generally tolerated (dose-response relationship) R Infants and young children with gastrointestinal food allergies, if presenting with persistent vomiting or diarrhea, are at high risk of failure to thrive, particularly if there are associated feeding difficulties R Correct identification of food allergies and intolerances in infancy and childhood is important in order to prevent growth impairment and nutritional deficiency states R Close monitoring of dietary intake and growth parameters, regular re-assessment of persistent allergies and dietary introduction of tolerated food proteins are essential steps in the nutritional management of children with food allergies