FAQ: ADAPT OIT Program
- Published
- Thursday, September 26, 2024 - 9:01 AM
Common questions about oral immunotherapy and the ADAPT OIT Program
What is oral immunotherapy (OIT)?
OIT is an emerging treatment option for food allergy. Under careful medical supervision, OIT treatment is designed to help your child's body get used to a specific food that usually causes an allergic reaction, such as peanut.
Every day, your child has a small, controlled amount of the food that causes their allergy (e.g. peanut). Doses slowly increase over time until the top maintenance dose is reached. After a period of daily maintenance dosing, a food allergy test is done to see whether the treatment has worked.
Can OIT cure food allergy?
It’s important to remember OIT is not a cure, but a treatment that may improve your chance of eating a specific food without causing an allergic reaction.
Is OIT safe?
Children receiving OIT can experience some side effects, but in young children the majority of these are mild and do not require treatment, according to global evidence. While on the program, children are prescribed an ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis and adrenaline injector. Families also receive a comprehensive education pack and have access to an allergist on-call at their hospital.
Is OIT for everybody?
OIT treatment requires a long-term commitment and takes up considerable time from families to give your child daily doses of peanut powder at home along with regular visits to your hospital allergy clinic. Deciding to start your child on OIT should be a decision made after discussing the treatment option with your allergist at a participating hospital.
What does ADAPT stand for?
ADAPT stands for from Allergy Development to an Accelerated Pathway to Tolerance.
Who is eligible to participate in the ADAPT OIT Program?
The free program is only available to eligible children under 12 months, diagnosed with peanut allergy, and who are receiving care by an allergist at one of the participating hospitals. The program capacity at each hospital will depend on demand and resources.
How can families get involved?
If you suspect your baby has a peanut allergy, the first step is to visit your GP. The doctor may refer your baby to an allergist at one of the hospitals participating in the ADAPT OIT Program. If their allergy is confirmed, and if they are eligible, the allergist will discuss the program will you.
For GPs: If you have a patient with a suspected peanut allergy, you can refer them to their local participating hospital allergy department with an outline of their clinical symptoms. Each site will triage and assess the infant and if peanut allergy is confirmed then they will discuss the program with the family.
Follow the links to each hospital Allergy Department for referral information. Please note, referrals should not be sent to the NACE.
What hospitals are involved?
The ADAPT OIT Program is running in 10 paediatric hospitals across five states. Eligible babies will be referred into the program by their allergist from either:
- The Royal Children’s Hospital (VIC)
- Queensland Children’s Hospital (QLD)
- Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick (NSW)
- The Children’s Hospital at Westmead (NSW)
- John Hunter Children’s Hospital Newcastle (NSW)
- Campbelltown Hospital (NSW)
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (NSW)
- Perth Children’s Hospital (WA)
- Fiona Stanley Hospital (WA)
- Women’s and Children’s Health Network (SA)
Why is the ADAPT OIT Program only treating peanut allergies in babies?
Peanut is the most the most common allergy among children in Australia, effecting 3.1 per cent of 12-month-olds. The program is starting at 10 paediatric hospitals across Australia, and it is hoped as the program becomes more established and evaluated that it may expand to include older children and other common allergens.
If my baby has a peanut allergy and an egg allergy, can they participate in the ADAPT OIT Program?
Peanut OIT will only help with peanut allergies and won't work for other food allergies. If your baby has a peanut allergy but also other food allergies, you and your baby's allergist will need to decide together if the ADAPT OIT Program is right for your baby.
I don’t live in a major city so how can I access the ADAPT OIT Program?
The ADAPT OIT Program will initially be offered at the 10 hospitals participating in the first phase of the rollout – some families living outside of the major cities may be eligible to join the program if they are able to manage the travel required to attend OIT appointments.
If the program is successful, it’s hoped more hospitals and private allergy clinics will then adopt the program, including in regional and remote areas to make it easier for more families to access it.
Should I do OIT at home if I am not part of an OIT Program?
Families of peanut allergic children are urged not to try OIT at home unsupervised. This program follows a carefully planned dosing schedule and children are under the strict medical supervision of their hospital allergy team.
How will you know if the program works?
Oral immunotherapy is being tested around the world using different approaches, which makes it difficult to assess the results, including the long-term outcomes for children, their families and the health system. The National Allergy Centre of Excellence will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the ADAPT OIT Program, as well as quality of life and long-term outcomes.
For more information visit the ADAPT OIT Program webpage or read the news article.