Children’s Hospital New Orleans Allergy Evaluations
The Allergy and Immunology Department provides a complete allergy evaluation
through the patient history and physical examination, skin prick testing,
patch testing and bloodwork. Our Allergy & Immunology specialists
work with the patients and their caregivers to find a management plan
that best suits their symptoms and lifestyle. This may include avoidance
measures, medications and/or immunotherapy vaccines (allergy shots).
The physicians and staff also provide asthma evaluations, as well as treatment
and action plan training for families and caregivers. For those patients
with severe asthma, the physicians can determine the need for advanced
treatment with biologic medications or monoclonal antibody therapy.
Food allergy evaluation
Our food allergy evaluation begins by obtaining an extensive history of
the suspected allergy and may include skin testing or laboratory testing.
The team works with each patient to determine the need to carry an epinephrine
auto-injector (EpiPen) and teaches proper use to both patients and caregivers.
For select patients, closely monitored in-office food challenges may be
appropriate to determine whether patients have outgrown certain allergies
or intolerances.
For infants with certain food allergies and/or atopic dermatitis who are
at increased risk for allergy to peanuts, testing and dietary guidance
in accordance with recommendations by the National Institute of Allergy
and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and the American Academy of Pediatrics
is provided.
Atopic dermatitis care
The evaluation and management of atopic dermatitis may include testing
for triggers of this disorder as well as topical or systemic therapies.
Because of the association of this skin disease with other allergic disorders
(asthma, food allergies, etc.), a comprehensive evaluation and treatment
plan is often necessary.
Evaluation of primary immunodeficiency & recurrent infections
The Allergy and Immunology Department at Children’s Hospital is the
only Jeffrey Modell Diagnostic Center for Immunodeficiencies in the region.
The department offers full evaluation of both adult and pediatric patients
with recurrent or unusual infections or a family history of immunodeficiency
disorders.
The evaluation includes laboratory quantitation of immunoglobulins and
determination of vaccine responsiveness as well as quantitative and functional
assays of T and B cells, phagocytes and complement when appropriate. The
providers oversee immunoglobulin infusions and other biologic therapies
at the Infusion Center located at Children’s Hospital’s main
campus. As a designated Jeffrey Modell Diagnostic Center, the physicians
collaborate with researchers worldwide to bring additional expertise to
the region. The facility is also a member of the Primary Immunodeficiency
Treatment Consortium (PIDTC), which is working to advance the treatment
of those patients affected by the most severe forms of primary immunodeficiency.
Management expertise includes, but is not limited to:
Allergic rhinitis
Asthma
Atopic dermatitis/allergic skin disorders
Food allergy
Urticaria (hives, welts)
Anaphylaxis (severe reactions to foods, drugs, insect stings or ant bites)
