Pediatric allergists meeting at the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology annual meeting reported severe anaphylaxis in children triggered by a fish-derived energy drink ingredient, cold-pressed castor oil, and latex-contaminated toys, alongside new data linking early biologic therapy to reduced asthma risk.
- Hidden Allergens: Standard allergy skin prick tests may miss less obvious triggers like fish collagen in beverages or proteins preserved in cold-pressed plant oils.
- Atopic Progression: Early intervention with biologics like dupilumab in children with eosinophilic esophagitis may reduce the subsequent development of asthma.
- Language Barriers: Non-English-speaking families face significant hurdles in receiving early guidance on peanut introduction, potentially increasing allergy risks.
A 15-year-old boy experienced anaphylaxis after consuming an energy drink containing collagen derived from cod, Medscape reported in a case described by Annabelle Rowland, MD.
The method of processing may be critical, as cold-pressing preserves proteins that can trigger a reaction.
“Cold pressing keeps certain castor bean proteins intact, while the heat used in refining breaks them down,” Wang told News-Medical.
Further research is needed to establish causality, she noted.
Eosinophilic esophagitis and asthma represent manifestations of the atopic march and share interleukin 4 and interleukin 13-mediated type 2 inflammation, Steinberger noted. “Prospective studies are needed to determine whether dupilumab modifies future asthma risk.”
| Treatment Cohort | Patient Age | Intervention | Asthma Incidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dupilumab Group | 6 Years or Younger | Early Biologic Therapy | 10.5% |
| Budesonide Group | 6 Years or Younger | Conventional Steroid Therapy | 16.2% |
The researchers conducted a retrospective review of 3170 infants at two pediatric primary care sites in the United States from 2021 to 2026, including 240 infants from non-English-speaking families across 25 languages.
Non-English-speaking families had lower odds of introduction at 6 months with an odds ratio of 0.21 and a 95% confidence interval from 0.09 to 0.48, and at 9 months with an odds ratio of 0.48 and a 95% confidence interval from 0.28 to 0.81, after adjustment for variables such as income and neighborhood, Medscape reported.
Immediate emergency medical evaluation and the administration of epinephrine are required at the onset of systemic symptoms such as urticaria, angioedema, respiratory distress, or throat tightness.
- American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI) 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting Proceedings.
- TriNetX Research Network, Global Health Records Analysis (2016–2026).
- Medscape Medical News Coverage of ACAAI 2026 Presentations.
- News-Medical Life Sciences Coverage of ACAAI 2026 Case Reports.
