Omalizumab Enables Safe Allergenic Food Introduction in Kids

Treatment allows most children with food allergies to complete oral food challenges and undergo dietary introduction.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 9:04am

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In a study of 51 children with immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated food allergy, most oral food challenges (OFCs) performed during ongoing treatment with the medication omalizumab reached clinically meaningful tolerable doses, and dietary introduction was permitted following more than 90% of challenges. Allergic reactions occurred in 45% of OFCs, but were mostly mild, with only two requiring treatment with intramuscular epinephrine.

Why it matters

Food allergies can significantly impact a child's quality of life and pose serious health risks. This study suggests that omalizumab treatment may help many children with food allergies safely introduce allergenic foods into their diet, reducing the burden of food avoidance and the risk of life-threatening reactions.

The details

Researchers performed a chart review of 51 children with IgE-mediated food allergy (median age, 9 years; 55% boys) who started omalizumab treatment between February 2024 and February 2025. Omalizumab dosing was based on patient weight and baseline total IgE level, ranging from 75 mg to 600 mg every 2 or 4 weeks. Oral food challenges (OFCs) were performed at a median of 7 months after the initiation of omalizumab, with a goal dose typically set at a cumulative total of 6000 mg of food protein, divided into six stepwise doses.

  • The study period was from February 2024 to August 2025.
  • Omalizumab treatment was initiated between February 2024 and February 2025.
  • Oral food challenges were performed at a median of 7 months after the initiation of omalizumab.

The players

Jennifer Dantzer, MD, MHS

The corresponding author of the study, which was published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice.

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

The institution where the study was conducted.

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What they’re saying

“Depending on individual goals and preferences, OFCs may help assess treatment response and allow safe introduction of allergenic foods into the diet for many patients.”

— Jennifer Dantzer, MD, MHS (The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice)

The takeaway

This study demonstrates the potential for omalizumab treatment to enable safe dietary introduction of allergenic foods for many children with IgE-mediated food allergies, reducing the burden of food avoidance and the risk of life-threatening reactions. However, the study's small sample size and single-center design warrant further research to confirm these findings and explore the long-term implications of this approach.