Pediatric Allergy & Immunology
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Allergy and immunology care for children
When the immune system doesn't work as it should, children may experience problems such as asthma, allergies, chronic infections and skin rashes. Our skilled providers diagnose the underlying cause and help kids find relief with effective treatments.
Care for asthma and allergic disorders
Our pediatric allergists diagnose and help children manage common and severe allergic conditions, including:
Anaphylaxis (a life-threatening reaction to an allergen)
Eczema
Food and drug allergies
Hay fever
Allergy and immunology care for children
When the immune system doesn't work as it should, children may experience problems such as asthma, allergies, chronic infections and skin rashes. Our skilled providers diagnose the underlying cause and help kids find relief with effective treatments.
Care for asthma and allergic disorders
Our pediatric allergists diagnose and help children manage common and severe allergic conditions, including:
Anaphylaxis (a life-threatening reaction to an allergen)
Eczema
Food and drug allergies
Hay fever
Allergy testing
We offer allergy testing in a safe, medically supervised environment. We may test your child for allergies to certain foods, medicines and environmental triggers. Testing may involve lung assessments, skin prick testing or closely monitored oral food challenges.
Allergy management and treatments
Once your child has an allergy diagnosis, we help them manage and reduce reactions with effective treatments, including:
Peanut oral immunotherapy. This treatment helps reduce severe reactions to peanuts.
Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorder care. We provide a comprehensive assessment and personalized treatments for these conditions.
Allergy immunotherapies. These treatments include subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) for allergies to grass pollen and dust mites.
Biologic therapies for allergic conditions. We use these therapies to treat atopic dermatitis (eczema), allergic asthma and chronic idiopathic urticaria (hives).
Immunodeficiency care
Our pediatric immunologists diagnose and care for infants, children and teens with immune disorders, including primary immunodeficiency disorders such as hypogammaglobulinemia.
Treatment options for immunodeficiency disorders
Immune system conditions may cause chronic or unusual infections, antibody deficiencies and white blood cell defects. These immune system impairments can make it difficult for your child to stay healthy.
We offer the latest therapies to help children with immunodeficiency disorders stay well. At our outpatient infusion center, kids receive intravenous immune globulin and other injected medications to help strengthen their immune system.
Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) care
Our team has expertise in diagnosing and caring for infants and children with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Babies born with SCID don't have a functioning immune system and need treatment to help their bodies fight infections.
We are certified by the state of California to perform SCID screening in newborns and can rapidly evaluate babies with abnormal results.
Locations (dynamic)
Providers (dynamic)
Jasmeen S. Dara, MD, MS
Pediatrics • Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
Eric Wohlford, MD, PhD
Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
Lauren Sanchez, MD
Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
Laurence E. Cheng, MD, PhD
Allergy and Immunology • Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
Awards & achievements
Jeffrey Modell Foundation research funding recipient
Ranked among the nation's best in 11 specialties
Related conditions & treatments
Conditions
- Allergic Asthma
- Allergic Disorders
- Allergic Rhinitis
- Anaphylaxis
- Antibody Deficiency
- Asthma
- Drug Allergy
- Eczema
- Food Allergy
Treatments
- Allergen Immunotherapy
- Allergy Testing
- Biologic Therapy for Asthma
- Biologic Therapy for Skin Diseases
- Food Allergy Testing
- Food Challenge Testing
- Immunoglobulin Replacement Therapy
- Peanut Allergy Desensitization
- Sublingual Immunotherapy
Trials & research
Clinical trials
Natural History of Sphingosine Phosphate Lyase Insufficiency Syndrome (SPLIS)Opens in a new window
This is a prospective longitudinal natural history study with a retrospective cross-sectional arm aimed at determining the natural history of sphingosine phosphate lyase insufficiency syndrome (SPLIS), a recently recognized inborn error of metabolism...Abatacept for the Treatment of Common Variable Immunodeficiency With Interstitial Lung DiseaseOpens in a new window
There is no standard of care therapy for patients with granulomatous-lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (GLILD) seen in common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). Abatacept has recently looked promising for the treatment of patients with complex CVID...EBV-specific Cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) for Refractory EBV InfectionOpens in a new window
Related donor Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) specific cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) manufactured with the Miltenyi CliniMACS Prodigy Cytokine Capture System will be administered in children, adolescents and young adults with refractory EBV infection post Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (AlloHSCT), with primary immunodeficiencies (PID) or post solid organ transplant...Treatment of Refractory BK Infections With Related Donor BK Specific Cytotoxic T-cells (CTLs)Opens in a new window
BK cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) manufactured with the Miltenyi CliniMACS Prodigy Cytokine Capture System will be safe and effective in decreasing specific viral load in children, adolescents and young adults (CAYA) with refractory BK infection post Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (AlloHSCT) or with primary immunodeficiencies (PID).
Research initiatives
UCSF Division of Allergy Immunology and BMT ResearchOpens in a new window
The division studies disorders of the immune system – from food allergy trials to the genetic causes of immunodeficiency – advancing cellular therapies such as gene therapy and blood and marrow transplantation.
Support services
Child Life
Certified child life specialists ease the stress and anxiety of childhood illness through therapeutic play, schooling and family-focused support.
Family Amenities
Family-friendly amenities help you relax and take care of yourself while staying close to your child. We offer lounges, kitchens, showers, breastfeeding rooms and more.
Social Services at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
Social workers ease the effect of illness, injury and hospitalization on your family with counseling and assistance to help you navigate the challenges.
Activity Rooms
Activity rooms offer a relaxed environment for children of all ages. Features include a playroom, digital arts studio and teen lounge. Find out more.
Pediatric Art Therapy Program
Art therapy helps kids and families express themselves, making it easier to cope with pediatric health issues. Group and bedside services are available.
Pediatric Music Therapy Program
Board-certified music therapists help kids cope with illness and the feelings that come with it. Find out about group activities and bedside therapy.
School Program for Hospitalized Children
Our schoolroom services and individual learning programs help children hospitalized at UCSF continue their education and get ready to return to school.
School Re-Entry Program
We help kids return to school after hospitalization by educating staff and students about their needs and recommending needed accommodations. Read more.
Individual Playtime & Instruction
If your child can't be around other kids for medical reasons, you can sign up for private sessions in our activity and school rooms. Find out how.
Interpreter Services & Communication Assistance at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
Interpreter services in many languages and TDDs are available for families that need help communicating with care teams. Here's how to access them.
Parent Support Program
Weekly activities, including knitting, scrapbooking, chair massage and more, help family caregivers get a much-needed break. Find out more.
Patient Relations at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
Patient relations reps and nursing supervisors are here to answer questions and address concerns. Learn about your rights, how to reach us and more.
Spiritual Care at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
Chaplains help UCSF patients, families and staff cope with the spiritual and emotional challenges of childhood illness. Learn more.
International Services at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
If you're coming to UCSF from outside the U.S., we coordinate your child's appointments and provide other helpful services. Here's how to get started.