# Outcome Predictors of Oral Food Challenge in Children

## TL;DR

The study finds that atopic conditions and moderate allergy test results increase the chance of a positive oral food challenge in children, but severity of reactions cannot be predicted.

## Contribution

Identifies specific thresholds for allergy tests and highlights the unpredictability of reaction severity during oral food challenges in children.

## Key findings

- Atopic comorbidities significantly increase the likelihood of a positive oral food challenge.
- No parameters reliably predict the severity of allergic reactions during oral food challenges.
- Optimal thresholds for predicting a positive OFC were 0.73 IU/mL for sIgE and 3.5 mm for SPT.

## Abstract

What are the main findings?
Atopic comorbidities (allergic rhinitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis) and even moderately positive allergy tests significantly increase the likelihood of an allergic reaction during oral food challenge (OFC) in children.No epidemiological, clinical, or laboratory parameters—including the magnitude of specific IgE levels and/or skin prick test results—can reliably predict the severity of allergic reactions during OFC.

Atopic comorbidities (allergic rhinitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis) and even moderately positive allergy tests significantly increase the likelihood of an allergic reaction during oral food challenge (OFC) in children.

No epidemiological, clinical, or laboratory parameters—including the magnitude of specific IgE levels and/or skin prick test results—can reliably predict the severity of allergic reactions during OFC.

What are the implications of the main findings?
In children with suspected IgE-mediated food allergy, particularly those with atopic comorbidities, oral food challenge remains essential and represents the gold standard for diagnosis.Oral food challenges should be performed using a gradual protocol under strict medical supervision in well-equipped settings, as severe reactions including anaphylaxis cannot be reliably predicted.

In children with suspected IgE-mediated food allergy, particularly those with atopic comorbidities, oral food challenge remains essential and represents the gold standard for diagnosis.

Oral food challenges should be performed using a gradual protocol under strict medical supervision in well-equipped settings, as severe reactions including anaphylaxis cannot be reliably predicted.

Background: Food allergy is a leading cause of severe allergic reactions in children and often results in restrictive elimination diets. The oral food challenge (OFC) remains the diagnostic gold standard but is resource-intensive and carries a risk of adverse reactions. This study aimed to identify epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory predictors of OFC outcomes and reaction severity in children with suspected immediate-type food allergies. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 148 children who underwent hospital-based, open OFCs due to suspected immediate-type food reactions. Data on demographics, comorbidities, characteristics of the initial reaction, sensitisation profiles (specific IgE [sIgE], skin prick test [SPT]), and OFC outcomes were analysed. Reactions were graded using the Ring and Messmer scale. Results: OFC was positive in 44 of 148 children (29.7%). However, no clinical or laboratory parameters—including prior reaction severity and the magnitude of allergy test results—were associated with the severity of reactions during OFC. Comorbidities—specifically asthma, atopic dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis—were significantly associated with a positive OFC (p < 0.01), as were elevated sIgE levels and larger SPT wheal diameters (p < 0.01 for both). The optimal thresholds for predicting a positive OFC were 0.73 IU/mL for sIgE and 3.5 mm for SPT. Conclusions: Oral food challenge (OFC) remains essential for confirming food allergies in children. Given that the severity of reactions during OFCs cannot be reliably predicted and that low cut-off values of allergy tests were identified for predicting a positive OFC outcome, OFCs should be performed in a controlled and fully equipped medical setting, particularly in children with atopic comorbidities.