Pediatric allergy.

Allergist/immunologists who treat children are often left to apply clinical solutions that were developed in adult populations. Pediatric allergists intuitively know that differences in disease between adults and children have widely divergent contributory factors. The inception of allergic sensitization followed by the development of diseases such as atopic der-matitis and asthma suggests a different treatment paradigm than adult diseases in which inflammation is typically long standing and may possibly be irreversible. In fact, pediatric clinicians are focused on (1) treatments specifically designed for children, (2) treatments which may prevent allergic sensitization, and (3) the prevention of disease progression. Research that is focused upon these objectives is uniquely positioned to advance the understanding and treatment of pediatric allergic diseases. There are other factors which have adversely affected progress in this area. New investigators who are trained in pediatrics are difficult to find. This is a significant problem in the particularly small field of pediatric allergy/immunology. The discipline is in the process of establishing a significant presence in general pediatric training programs. This special issue is designed to showcase pediatric allergy/immunology investigators. The research articles are focused on identifying elements surrounding the onset of atopy or therapies designed for children. The review articles are aimed at new and provocative thinking regarding the development of atopy. This issue unites pediatric allergists worldwide in establishing a forum of discussion around the issues of atopic sensitization in children and the treatment of these diseases. New clinically relevant research in pediatric allergy is vital to our field. M. Ben-Shoshan et al. report on demographic factors as predictors of development of food allergy. This work could identify which populations should be targeted for prevention, education, and therapeutic strategies in the future. A. Gangemi et al. present a provocative preliminary study outlining a possible role of L-carnitine in the treatment of pediatric asthma. Their findings could lead to investigation of alternative treatments for asthma in children. Other investigators have focused on the therapy of Hymenoptera venom anaphylaxis with an ultrarush protocol. Venom allergy, like asthma, is clearly different in children than adults. The establishment of the safety of this protocol advances the care of children with this potentially life-threatening disease. In addition, the effect of regional pollen exposure upon the development of aeroallergen sensitization is a practical reminder to pediatric allergists of the origins of allergic rhinitis and asthma. This study illustrates the importance of understanding the changing …