Skip to content

Pediatric Allergy and Immunology

Decorative background image

WMCHealth’s Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital has the area’s experts in allergies and immunological conditions.

The Pediatric Pulmonology, Allergy, Immunology, and Sleep Medicine Division is one of the largest programs in the nation.

Our pediatric pulmonologists, allergists, immunologists, and sleep specialists diagnose and care for children with a wide range of respiratory problems, including allergies and immune deficiency disorders.

A young girl and her caregiver attend a hospital event for Halloween

We understand that when your child is uncomfortable, so are you. Whether they are experiencing seasonal allergies or a rare immunological condition, your child deserves to breathe and rest easier. As an academic research hospital, Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital is on the cutting edge of new technologies in diagnosing and treating allergy and immunological conditions.

Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital’s asthma program is one of the largest in the state. Our clinicians care for more than 12,000 pediatric patients with asthma. Our pediatric allergists are experts in clinical allergy evaluation and therapy, from allergy testing and diagnosis to managing all allergic conditions.

Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Conditions We Treat

When your child’s immune system is compromised, they may have one of the following conditions:

  • Primary immune deficiencies: Children who are born with a weakened immune system. These are quite rare and are passed down genetically.
  • Acquired immune deficiency: Children who contract an illness or disease that causes their immune system to be weakened. Diseases that can cause this type of condition include cancer treatments and HIV.
  • Overactive immune system: When a child’s immune system responds too aggressively it can afffect various systems throughout the body. Conditions in this category include asthma, which causes breathing issues, and eczema, which causes skin irritations.
  • Autoimmune diseases: Sometimes, our immune systems can attack healthy cells within our bodies. Conditions in this category include lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, and they require medication to keep them under control. 
A baby held by their mother sits in an exam room while an off-camera female pediatrician uses a stethoscope to listen to the baby's heart

Allergic reactions are a cause for discomfort in some children and can be life-threatening for others. Some people with allergies will find that the trigger for their reactions can be due to the following:

  • Food allergies: Common food allergies include eggs, peanuts, shellfish, wheat, and soy.
  • Environmental allergies: Environmental triggers include seasonal conditions such as weeds, grasses, and pollen.
  • Medication allergies: Some children experience reactions to medication, including aspirin or antibiotics.

In many cases, allergy treatment is not necessary and only requires the child to avoid the trigger. For many children, however, allergies are better controlled with medication, which can help improve their quality of life. Other allergies, including some nut allergies, may require that children carry emergency medication as rescue treatment if exposure occurs. The pediatricians in Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital’s pediatric allergy department are experts in this field and can treat your child with the necessary care.