Pediatric Allergy
Overview of the program
The Riley Hospital for Children Allergy Program at Indiana University Health offers expertise in the diagnosis and management of a wide variety of allergic conditions including; asthma, rhinitis, anaphylaxis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria/angioedema and gastrointestinal allergic disorders. The specialty also evaluates children with recurrent infections who may have an immune deficiency condition.
The evaluations for these conditions include an extensive review of the medical history which leads to the selection of specific allergy diagnostic tests. Allergy testing includes skin testing for pollen, mold spores, animal dander, insect debris, food, drug, and the stinging insects. The Allergy program at Indiana University Health also utilizes highly specialized laboratory tests to assist in the diagnosis of allergy or immune dysfunction.
Respiratory Tract Allergy
Allergy frequently affects the respiratory tract. This may be a more frequent problem in children. The Riley at IU Health Allergists offer evaluations for children with asthma, nasal symptoms, sinus disease, and ear infections. A ‘state of the art’ pulmonary function laboratory, which is skilled in working with children, is used in our evaluations. Once the diagnosis of respiratory tract allergy is established, the children and families continue to receive guidance in managing the condition. Management utilizes effective environmental control, medications, and immune therapies.
Food Challenges
Food allergy is becoming more common in children. There is a wide array of tests available for food allergy. Unfortunately, test results may not be relevant to the child’s situation and recommendations based on these test results can lead to significant changes in the quality of life for a child and the child’s family.
One of the most frequently performed procedures at Indiana University Health- Riley is the food challenge. The opportunity for a food challenge is determined by the clinical condition, the age of the child, and the use of very specific diagnostic tests. The food challenges are performed in the allergy clinics at Indiana University Health-Riley.
This offers a safe, controlled, clinical environment for the child and family. Our allergists have an extensive experience with milk, egg, soy, and wheat food challenges. Peanut, which once was thought to be a life-long food allergy, has been shown by food challenge to be tolerated in a growing number of children.
Medication/Vaccination Desensitization Program
Riley at IU Health Allergists offer and perform numerous drug and vaccine challenges/ desensitization protocols that will allow a child to use a medication or be vaccinated to an agent that may have caused life-threatening reactions. This procedure also can clarify questionable reactions to medications and vaccinations. Challenges and desensitization have been performed for a wide variety of medications including Botox, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, local anesthetics, immune modulators, and antibiotics.
Treatment of Immunodeficiency Conditions
Riley Allergy at IU Health also included expertise in clinical immunology. Children with recurrent infections may have an immune dysfunction. Our allergists’ training in clinical immunology helps in those preliminary steps of looking at the functioning of the immune system. These evaluations help guide families to the next level of care if a deficiency is discovered.
Multi-Disciplinary Clinics
Riley Allergy at IU Health participates in two multi-disciplinary clinics; the Atopic Dermatitis Signature Center and the Eosinophilic Esophagitis Specialty Center.
