Research Update: A comprehensive review of sensitization and allergy to soy-based products

Findings from this new systematic review challenge the reported prevalence of soy allergy in children

To address the discrepancies in reported prevalence rates of soy allergy, a comprehensive review was undertaken to identify the adjusted prevalence of Ig-E mediated soy allergies in individuals younger than 19 years old, as well as perform a secondary analysis on the prevalence of soy allergy among infants less than 6 months of age. This study was published in the January 2014 edition of the journal Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology.

After careful review, a total of 40 articles were selected for further analysis. The weighted prevalence of oral food challenge (OFC)-proven soy protein allergy (regarded as the gold standard for diagnosis) in the general population was found to be 0.27%. Among children with cow’s milk allergy (CMA) or atopic dermatitis who used soy-based formulas as a treatment modality, the weighted prevalence of OFC-proven allergy was 2.5%. This is substantially lower than the rates reported in earlier publications, which ranged from 14 – 40%.

For infants younger than 6 months, the risk of soy allergy was evaluated in studies involving a total 1,430 babies who were fed soy from birth. Only two individuals (0.1%) were found to have evidence of soy allergy. The researchers concluded that available evidence do not support recommendations of the AAP and ESPHGAN to postpone the introduction of soy-based formulas in infants with IgE-mediated CMA during the first 6 months of life, based on the concern for an increased risk of allergy to soy.

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Last updated on 17 Feb 2014

BMI generally correlates well with percentage of body fat and is a simple method of classifying weight status. While there is an international classification for weight status, separate cut-off points have also been developed for Asians to determine public health and clinical action. This is because the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease was found to exist at lower BMI levels for Asian populations.

Select the preferred BMI interpretation:

International body weight classification

Risk category status for Asians

Indicate height and weight

Height : cm

Weight : kg

BMI = kg/m²

Weight Status :

Risk for cardiovascular disease & diabetes :

Note

This calculator is to be used for individuals above the age of 18 years
BMI does not apply to pregnant women and people with muscular build (e.g. athletes and bodybuilders)

References

World Health Organization. Obesity: preventing and managing the global epidemic. Report of a WHO Consultation. World Health Organization; Geneva: 2000.
WHO Expert Consultation. Appropriate body-mass index for Asian populations and its implications for policy and intervention strategies. The Lancet. 2004; 363: 157-163.
Health Promotion Board: Know Your BMI, Know Your Risk http://www.knowyourbmi.sg/knowyourbmi.aspx

The Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST) is simple to use and has been validated to identify adult patients at risk of malnutrition upon hospital admission.

1. Have you recently lost weight without trying?

How much weight have you lost?

2. Have you been eating poorly because of a decreased appetite?

MST Rating:

A score of 2 or more indicates that the patient may be at risk of malnutrition. Patient should be referred to a dietitian within 24-72 hours (depending on risk) for full assessment and intervention.

For patients with a score of 0 or 1, rescreen the patient if the length of stay exceeds 7 days (and repeat weekly as needed).

Low Risk (0-1) Medium Risk (2-3) High Risk (4-5)

Reference:
Ferguson M, Capra S, Bauer J, Banks M: Development of a valid and reliable malnutrition screening tool for adult acute hospital patients. Nutrition 1999;15(6):458–464.