Baked Sesame Goods Show Promise in Desensitizing Children with Sesame Allergy
New research has revealed that modified sesame desensitization utilizing baked goods containing sesame paste is a safer approach compared to traditional methods employing raw sesame seeds for children grappling with sesame allergy. Teh findings suggest a potential shift in how sesame allergy desensitization is conducted, prioritizing patient safety while aiming to build tolerance.
The study indicates that incorporating sesame through baked goods may reduce the risk of adverse reactions during the desensitization process. This is particularly significant given the increasing prevalence of sesame allergy adn the potential severity of allergic reactions.
Roy Khalaf, MD, spearheaded the research, offering a new perspective on managing this growing health concern.
[Image of Roy Khalaf,MD,Credit: LinkedIn]
Sesame Oral Immunotherapy: Seed vs. Baked Goods
Oral immunotherapy (OIT) for sesame allergy shows promise, but the method of delivery – raw seeds versus baked goods – considerably impacts reaction severity. A recent study reveals that using raw sesame seeds in desensitization strategies increased the odds of a greater reaction severity level by a factor of 7.1 (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.6 – 14.1) compared to baked goods with sesame paste. However, the likelihood of severe reactions decreased over time with both approaches.1
The research also found that older age and a history of asthma increased the risk of severe reactions, mirroring findings from other OIT protocols for different allergens.1
Researchers acknowledged limitations including the lack of randomization or blinding between study groups. Data on immunological tests like sesame-specific IgE or component testing were inconsistent. Protocols varied based on the treating allergist, and there was no assessment of long-term maintenance phase outcomes between the two groups.
“This study compares for the first time different sesame OIT protocols in a real-world setting and reveals that the use of
1[https://www.healio.com/allergy/allergy-immunology/news/online/sesame-oit-seed-vs-baked-goods-impact-reaction-severity](https://www.healio.com/allergy/allergy-immunology/news/online/sesame-oit-seed-vs-baked-goods-impact-reaction-severity)