Asia Pac Allergy.  2018 Jul;8(3):e29. 10.5415/apallergy.2018.8.e29.

Cashew nut allergy in Singaporean children

• Chitta S
• Lian BX
• Rao R
• Loh W
• Goh A
• Chong KW

• KMID: 2417976
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5415/apallergy.2018.8.e29

Abstract

BACKGROUND
There has been an increasing trend of nut allergies in Singapore.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to review the clinical characteristics of children with cashew nut allergy.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis was conducted in a tertiary paediatric referral centre in Singapore from 2008 to 2015. A total of 99 subjects with positive specific IgE (≥0.35 IU/L) to cashew nut were identified. Clinical features including demographics, clinical reaction to cashew nut, associations with other nuts and test specific measurements were recorded.
RESULTS
The results showed that cutaneous symptoms (71.2%) were the most common allergic manifestations. Anaphylaxis occurred in 3.8% of children. In addition, all cashew nut allergic subjects were cross-reactive (either sensitized or allergic) to pistachio. Cross-reactivity rate with peanuts was 53.8%. There was a strong prevalence of atopy among cashew nut allergic subjects.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, cashew nut allergy is a significant tree nut allergy in Singapore.

Keyword

Cashew nut allergy; Tree nuts; Singapore children

MeSH Terms

Anacardium*
Anaphylaxis
Arachis
Child*
Demography
Humans
Immunoglobulin E
Nut Hypersensitivity*
Nuts*
Pistacia
Prevalence
Referral and Consultation
Retrospective Studies
Singapore
Immunoglobulin E