Pediatricians should help to develop a school action plan for food-induced allergy

An action plan to manage food allergy in schools should emphasize allergen avoidance, recognition of allergic reactions, and identification of situations that require injections of epinephrine.

The pediatrician's role in managing food allergy in the school is the subject of a clinical report issued by the members of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Allergy and Immunology. The report is published in Pediatrics.

Among the recommendations in the report:

Researchers said that special attention for these children should include education to reduce risk-taking and to encourage carrying and using medications when needed.

Sicherer SH, Mahr T; American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Allergy and Immunology. Management of food allergy in the school setting. Pediatrics. 2010;126(6):1232-1239.