Steroids for allergic reactions to food in children
Official title: Evaluation of Emergency Medication in Children With Food Allergies: a Prospective, Randomized Clinical Multicenter Study Comparing Antihistamines Versus Antihistamines Plus Steroids in a Controlled Setting of Oral Food Challenges in Children.
Run by University Children's Hospital, Zurich · NCT07341776 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study will test whether giving steroids in addition to adrenaline and antihistamines helps children who have allergic reactions during supervised food challenges.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 4 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 6 Months to 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 160 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University Children's Hospital, Zurich Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Basel, Basel and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 26, 2026 |
| Main results expected | December 2026 |
| Study ends | December 2026 |
| Registry record updated | January 27, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07341776 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Children with suspected or confirmed IgE-mediated food allergies who are scheduled for a supervised oral food challenge and have no contraindications to steroid use or the challenge are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
Children with non-IgE or non-food allergies, those outside the eligible age range, or those with contraindications to oral food challenge or recent steroid use are unlikely to benefit from participation.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Children scheduled for a supervised oral food challenge who develop allergic reactions are randomly assigned to receive standard emergency medications with or without an added steroid. The randomization is done at the time of the reaction, and treating clinicians follow usual protocols including adrenaline and antihistamines as needed. Doctors closely monitor the course of the reaction and no extra visits or tests beyond routine care are required. The study is conducted at pediatric allergy centers in Basel and Zurich, Switzerland.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If steroids are shown to be unnecessary, children could avoid an added medication and its side effects, and if they are helpful, treatment could be standardized to reduce prolonged or biphasic reactions.
How similar studies have gone: Steroids are commonly used in practice but randomized trial evidence for their benefit in acute food-allergic reactions is limited, so this approach is not well established.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * suspected or confirmed IgE-mediated food allergy Exclusion Criteria: * Non-IgE mediated food allergies * Non-food allergies * Age outside the specified range * Contraindications for an oral food challenge or oral steroid use within one week before the challenge.
Where it's running
-
University Children's Hospital Basel
Basel, Basel, Switzerland Recruiting -
University Children's Hospital, Zürich
Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Johannes Trück, PD Dr. med. DPhil
- Email: johannes.trueck@kispi.uzh.ch
- Phone: +41 44 249 49 49
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.