How to Spot Anaphylaxis in Babies
Learn the signs of anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction) and what to do if your baby develops anaphylaxis.
Contact Information
Michael Pistiner, MD, MMSc is Director of Food Allergy Advocacy, Education and Prevention for the MassGeneral Hospital for Children, Food Allergy Center. He has a special interests in food allergy and anaphylaxis education and advocacy, infant food allergy management, healthcare provider education, facilitating collaborations between the medical home and school health, and maintaining quality of life in children (and their families) with food allergies.
Dr. Pistiner is a fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), where he is a member of the Section on Allergy and Immunology Executive Committee, Council on School Health and the Massachusetts Chapter of the AAP. He is also a member of the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology and the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
Additionally, he serves on the medical advisory board of Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America, New England Chapter and is a voluntary consultant for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health School Health Service Unit. He is author of "Everyday Cool With Food Allergies", co-author of the "Living Confidently With Food Allergy" handbook, and co-founder and content creator of AllergyHome.org.
Departments, Centers, & Programs:
Clinical Interests:
Treats:
Mass General for Children: Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine
275 Cambridge Street
Suite 530
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-726-8707
Mass General for Children: Pediatric Allergy & Immunology
275 Cambridge St.
Professional Office Building
Suite 530
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-726-8707
Mass General for Children at Newton-Wellesley Hospital
2014 Washington St.
Newton, MA 02462
Phone: 617-243-6585
Medical Education
American Board Certifications
Note: This provider may accept more insurance plans than shown; please call the practice to find out if your plan is accepted.
Greenhawt MJ, Green TD, Pistiner M, Mitchell L. Empathy, understanding, and objectivity need to prevail for students with food allergies. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2011 Aug;107(2):93-4.
Pistiner M, Devore CD. The role of pediatricians in school food allergy management. Pediatr Ann. 2013 Aug;42(8):334-40.
Pistiner M, Devore CD, Schoessler S. School Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Management for the Pediatrician--Extending the Medical Home with Critical Collaborations. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2015 Dec;62(6):1425-39. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2015.07.016.
Pistiner M, Gold DR, Abdulkerim H, Hoffman E, Celedón JC. Birth by cesarean section, allergic rhinitis, and allergic sensitization among children with a parental history of atopy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2008 Aug;122(2):274-9.
Pistiner M, Hunninghake GM, Soto-Quiros ME, Avila L, Murphy A, Lasky-Su J, Schuemann B, Klanderman BJ, Raby BA, Celedón JC. Polymorphisms in IL12A and cockroach allergy in children with asthma. Clin Mol Allergy. 2008 Jul 31;6:6.
Pistiner M, Lee JJ. Creating a new community of support for students with food allergies. NASN Sch Nurse. 2012 Sep;27(5):260-6.
Tsuang A, Demain H, Patrick K, Pistiner M, Wang J. Epinephrine use and training in schools for food-induced anaphylaxis among non-nursing staff. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2017 May 11: S2213-2198(17)30259-3.
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Learn the signs of anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction) and what to do if your baby develops anaphylaxis.
Findings support the need for enhanced training of healthcare professionals to recognize and treat anaphylaxis in infants and young children.
Researchers found that epinephrine is more likely to be used in infants and toddlers with a previously diagnosed food allergy and an anaphylaxis action plan.
New recommendations from NIAID were recently released that help guide healthcare providers and families in feeding infants peanut products. Following these recommendations, with the guidance of healthcare professionals, may help decrease peanut allergy in infants who don't yet have it.
The two most important parts of managing food allergies confidently are prevention and being prepared for emergencies. Learn more from Michael Pistiner, MD.
Learn about allergies and treatment options in this video featuring Dr. Michael Pistiner, MMSc, Director of Food Allergy Advocacy, Education and Prevention at Mass General for Children's Food Allergy Center.