Background: There has been an increasing trend of nut allergies in Singapore.
Objective: The aim of this study was to review the clinical characteristics of children with cashew nut allergy.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted in a tertiary paediatric referral centre in Singapore from 2008 to 2015. A total of 99 subjects with positive specific IgE (≥0.35 IU/L) to cashew nut were identified. Clinical features including demographics, clinical reaction to cashew nut, associations with other nuts and test specific measurements were recorded.
Results: The results showed that cutaneous symptoms (71.2%) were the most common allergic manifestations. Anaphylaxis occurred in 3.8% of children. In addition, all cashew nut allergic subjects were cross-reactive (either sensitized or allergic) to pistachio. Cross-reactivity rate with peanuts was 53.8%. There was a strong prevalence of atopy among cashew nut allergic subjects.
Conclusion: In conclusion, cashew nut allergy is a significant tree nut allergy in Singapore.
Keywords: Cashew nut allergy; Singapore children; Tree nuts.