Supervised feed challenge

There are several reasons why you may have been asked to come in for a supervised feed. Your doctor or nurse will tell you why it is needed. 

• First time ingestion of food: This is when your child has not tried the food before but they have been tested due to another food allergy and allergy tests are mildly positive. 

• Diagnostic challenge: This is used when it is unclear if a food is causing the reaction and the diagnosis of food allergy needs to be confirmed. 

• Resolution challenge:  This is used to see if a food allergy is outgrown and the food is tolerated and reintroduced into your child's diet. 

• Densentisation: This is when it is felt your child may be able to tolerate small amounts of baked milk or egg to try and speed up tolerance to the food.

What happens during a supervised feed?

• The amount given is a portion a child would be expected to eat in day to day life. 

• When you arrive you will have the opportunity to ask questions and you'll be asked to sign a consent form. We try to involve the child as fully as possible in this process. Before the supervised feed is started your child will be examined and the state of their general health recorded.

• Your child will be asked to eat the supervised feed in one go. A specially trained nurse will carefully monitor your child. 

• Your child must stay on the ward during the challenge and for at least one hour after having eaten a supervised feed.

Food is provided by parents or carers and not by the clinic