Infants, children and adolescents living with allergic or immunologic diseases have unique needs in the assessment and management of these chronic conditions. Many conditions such as food allergy, atopic dermatitis, asthma, allergic rhinitis and primary immunodeficiency present in early childhood and often require health advocacy and collaboration on the part of the Clinical Immunology and Allergy specialists, primary care practitioners, nurses, certified asthma educators, and dieticians involved in the delivery of health care to this patient population. Patients with food allergy and asthma are at high risk for anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. Other allergic conditions such as adverse reactions to vaccines or medications, like antibiotics and chemotherapeutics, can pose unique challenges in the long term management and outcomes among young patients.
The CSACI Pediatrics Interest Section has worked diligently to advocate for early infant introduction of all foods beginning at 6 months of age. Additionally, this section has collaborated with key stakeholders and partners, including the Canadian Pediatric Society, to create a position statement for pediatricians encouraging early introduction of all foods, including the top 10 Priority Allergens identified by Health Canada. Growing medical evidence is mounting that delaying the introduction of foods until later in childhood increases the risk of developing food allergy. Many other exciting projects and collaborations are on the horizon in conjunction with the CSACI Anaphylaxis and Immunodeficiency Interest Groups.
Pediatric Clinical Immunology and Allergy Specialists are certified through the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada by completing 3-4 years of Pediatrics specialty training with an additional 2 years of further training in the area of Clinical Immunology and Allergy.
Elana Lavine, MD, FRCPC, FAAAAI
Practices at the Vaughan Paediatric Clinic and at Humber River Hospital Paediatric Consultation Clinic, Adjunct assistant professor in the Dept of Pediatrics, Queen’s University
Section Advisor of Pediatrics at Canadian Society of Allergy & Clinical Immunology