New calculator to predict milk, egg and peanut allergies

Researchers at University College Cork have devised a new method named the Cork-Southampton calculator that can predict whether children have allergy to peanut, egg or milk with 96% accuracy.

In developing the tool, the researchers collected information relating to the known clinical history for each patient, such as skin prick test results, allergen specific IgE in serum, total IgE, allergic reaction history, sex and age. They then compared this information with results of double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenges, and created an algorithm capable of predicting the risk of a positive food challenge result.

The calculator will enable health professionals to assess a patient's clinical history and predict whether the child would be likely to react positively in a food challenge test or not. This reduces the demand for the actual food challenge tests, which are costly, time consuming and often stressful for the patients and their families. In addition, patients are often placed on waiting lists for many months before they are able to see the allergy specialist who would conduct the food challenge.

Reference: Segal et al. 2011. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Vol 127 (2): AB184 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2010.12.732