Trip to playground is fraught with danger for Gold Coast toddler Harry

Harry Hodge is suffers a rare condition that seems him react violently to certain foods, but hopes are high he could be rid of his allergies by the age of two.

WHEN little Harry Hodge is exposed to egg or rice he has a frighteningly violent reaction. He vomits until he almost passes out and his eyes roll to the back of his head. He goes into shock and his life is at high risk.

Before he hit one year old the Gold Coast toddler was diagnosed with a rare food allergy known as food protein induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES).

FPIES is different to most allergies as it only affects the gastro system and mostly only seen in infants and young children. There is high hope that the tiny battler will outgrow his allergies and life will be a lot less terrifying for his mum Marley.

Nearly two-thirds of children with a food allergy will have outgrown it by the age of four, research from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) found. Children with FPIES will typically outgrow their condition by two.

CHILDREN TEASED WITH LIFETHREATENING ALLERGENS

“Taking Harry to a playground is nerve-racking. There could be traces of the danger food anywhere. Playgrounds are always full of bits of food and packaging. I have found myself just pulling back and keeping him isolated just so he is safe,” his mum told The Sunday Mail.

For most of his life Harry has had a very basic diet. Lamb and potatoes, tapioca, sorghum and breastmilk.

Harry Hodge, the little boy who suffers from a rare food allergy. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“There is not much fun in having the same lamb and potatoes for your birthday or Christmas that you have every single day. When he turned one there was no cake,” Marley said.

Now 18 months old Harry has spent some time at the Queensland Children’s Hospital completing food challenges to help expand his diet.

“He will be tested at the hospital with egg and rice – the two most dangerous things for him,” she said.

Dr Jane Peake, paediatric allergist and immunologist at Queensland Children’s Hospital says that FPIES is a very specific kind of allergy and can be difficult to diagnose. The child does not instantly react to the food like they might with a typical peanut allergy.

“The child may have been in contact with the food hours before they react and this can make it difficult to piece together the links,” she said.

Originally published as Trip to playground is fraught with danger for Gold Coast toddler Harry