>
>My question is: What is this about an 'age' at which they can do RAST?  My
>pediatrician (now realizing the error of her ways after seeing my son improve
>drastically upon eliminating the diagnosed foods) is recommending a RAST as
>soon as my next baby is born so we know, given the severity of my first child's
>allergies, what to avoid (in my diet, as well as the baby's).
>
>We are of course hoping for a non-allergic sibling, but....
>
>Susan.

Susan,

  My allergist told me that the younger you do the RAST testing the more
chances you have of getting inaccurate results. They do not like to do the
RAST test before age 3 but they will do it at 1 year but inform you to be
VERY prepared for the possibility of getting a false positive result. For
example my son tested positive for wheat and soy (among many many others) at
12 months yet had been eating wheat with no problems for months. Upon
retesting at age 2 the test for soy and wheat came back negative. Soy we
believe he grew out of because he showed a sensitivity to it very young but
wheat we had continued to feed him so we know it wasnt a matter of avoidance
leading to outgrowing. My allergist is one of the best in Canada. She is
from McMaster University Hospital and is also a Professor at the University
and she has spoken at many Allergy Conferences so I do trust what she says.
Several mothers at ASK (Allergic Specific Kids Inc) have noted the same
results with RAST testing too young. I have also interviewed alot of other
moms through my research for ASK and noted the same results.

  I do however recommend testing anyway as it will not give you false
negatives. So it at least gives you a baseline of what to avoid very early
on if you suspect allergies are present. Just be prepared to maybe avoid
things that arent neccesary but prevention is the only cure so its worth it!
Best of luck.

Keep the Faith ;-)

Rita