(October 31, 2008 - Insidermedicine) Rice is a common trigger of a severe type of allergic reaction called food protein induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) in children, according to research published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.

Here is some information about FPIES:

•    It is a severe allergic-type reaction to eating some foods that typically results in diarrhea and vomiting about two hours after eating the food.

•    FPIES is rare, so it is often misdiagnosed, usually as blood poisoning or a stomach ailment.

•    Until recently, it was believed that cow and soy milk were the most common triggers of FPIES.

Australian researchers examined cases of FPIES that occurred over 16 years at a children’s hospital to determine what the most common triggers of this condition are and what type of symptoms each trigger produces.

Overall, they identified 31 children who experienced 56 episodes of FPIES. The trigger was rice in nearly half of the children and nearly half of the episodes.   other episodes were caused by soy and/or milk. On average, children had about twice as many episodes of FPIES before they were correctly diagnosed when it was caused by rice than when it was caused by soy or milk. Rice also tended to produce more severe symptoms.

Today’s research demonstrates the role that rice plays in the development of FPIES, even though this food is generally considered to be “hypoallergenic” and is often recommended as a first food for babies.

For Insidermedicine In Depth, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.