Food Challenges
Unless your child has a history of a severe reaction, often we can use a food challenge test in the outpatient clinic. Your child must be in good health and off antihistamines prior to the challenge. Your physician will discuss the procedure with you and obtain informed consent before to starting the procedure. For safety reasons, a physician is always present and emergency medications are immediately available.
In an oral food challenge, the child eats gradually increasing quantities of the food until they have consumed a full serving. Typically, this segment of the procedure is completed within 60 minutes. The child is examined and vital signs are checked before each small portion of the food consumed. After they have eaten a full serving, they are monitored for an additional two hours before leaving the outpatient clinic.