Food allergy and anaphylaxis – 2053. New diagnostic algorithms that will reduce the need for oral food challenges

Background Diagnosis of food allergy relies on clinical history, tests for allergen specific IgE and oral food challenges. A recent reaction consistent with IgE-mediated symptoms in conjunction with a positive allergen-specific IgE test (either skin prick test (SPT) or serum allergen specific IgE (sIgE)) is usually sufficient to diagnose food allergy. In the absence of a reaction history, a positive skin prick test or serum allergen-specific IgE test may not necessarily indicate clinical allergy and it is often necessary to perform resource-intensive and potentially dangerous oral food challenges. We aimed to develop diagnostic algorithms in infants, using sIgE testing, that will minimize the requirement for food challenges and resource utilization of over burdened allergy services.