Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening if not treated quickly and properly. But the signs and symptoms can be hard to recognize, especially in infants and toddlers.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and its Kids With Food Allergies (KFA) division partnered with leading food allergy researchers to better understand how parents (and primary caregivers) of young children recognize the signs of allergic reactions in infants and toddlers. Results from this study have been published in the “Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice.”

This study, titled “Caregiver-Reported Presentation of Severe Food-Induced Allergic Reactions in Infants and Toddlers,” identifies signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis that are specific to infants and toddlers and reported by the primary caregivers. More research is underway to look at what doctors see in emergency rooms and food challenges. Then experts can create age-specific diagnostic criteria and guidelines to improve anaphylaxis recognition and response.

Learn more about the study.

This AAFA-led collaborative research was funded by kaléo, Inc.