Food allergy has become a serious health concern in the United States and around the world, particularly for children and young adults. This immune-mediated condition is estimated to affect 5% of children in the United States, and its prevalence is likely increasing worldwide.1 Since no therapies yet exist to prevent or cure food allergies, management involves the avoidance of food allergens and treatment of reactions, which can range in severity from mild to life-threatening. Given the magnitude of this public health problem, pediatric practitioners of all kinds are now faced with the challenge of appropriately diagnosing and caring for children with food allergies. The purpose of this issue of Pediatric Clinics of North America is to provide clinicians with a comprehensive and practical review of the current food allergy literature. The timeliness of this topic is underscored by the recent release of guidelines for the diagnosis and management of food allergy by an Expert Panel sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.2 This issue of Pediatric Clinics summarizes much of the evidence used to inform the development of these guidelines.
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