Course of growth and nutritional status in Swiss children with food allergies

Studies suggest that children with immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated food allergies (FA) are at risk of impaired growth, especially those with cow’s milk or multiple FA. However, there is limited long-term data available on this topic. This analysis presents the growth of Swiss children for the first year after FA diagnosis.

This is a secondary analysis of data from a multicentered study following food allergic children (0–10 years) over 1 year post diagnosis, comparing those who received dietary counselling with those who did not. Growth z‑scores were calculated based on World Health Organization (WHO) standards, using data reported by caregivers. To analyze data, linear mixed models with between-subject factors related to dietary counselling, number of FA, and cow’s milk allergy were fitted to the data.

In the 48 children (median age 16 months) studied, we observed an increasing prevalence of wasting (weight-for-length/height z‑score < 2; 2–10%) and a lower prevalence of stunting (length/height-for-age < 2; 0–2%) over the 1‑year period. Twelve months after diagnosis, all median z‑scores showed an increase. Linear mixed model analysis did not find any significant within-subject and between-subject effects on growth.

Children with IgE-mediated FA can have normal growth if children with cow’s milk allergy or multiple food allergies receive dietary counselling. Routine length/height and weight measurements should be taken to identify individual malnutrition and to initiate tailored nutritional interventions. Larger studies with longer duration are needed to assess further growth development in children with IgE-mediated food allergies.