Draft guidelines on food allergies in children

In August 2010, the UK's National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) opened consultation on its draft clinical guidelines on the diagnosis and assessment of food allergies in children and young people. Its aim is to support GPs and other health professionals in primary care and community settings in recognising the signs and symptoms of food allergy.

The draft guidelines have been drawn up following a review of allergy services in 2006, in which the Department of Health concluded there was considerable variation in current practice for allergy care, with no agreed treatment pathways, referral criteria or service models. Specifically, it was reported that many people with allergies practised self-care, using alternative sources of support rather than National Health System (NHS) services.

The draft document represents the first evidence-based guidelines on how health professionals and others who work with young children should diagnose and assess food allergies in children. It also contains many recommendations for working with the patients and their carers to manage the condition through consistent use of education and awareness such as how to interpret information about allergens on food labels.

Ultimately, it is hoped the introduction of these guidelines will help to improve outcomes for children with food allergy, and to support better use of resources across the health system.

The draft guidelines and supporting documentation can be accessed via the NICE website.