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Relationship Between Nutrition and Allergy and Immunity in Children

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Dear Colleagues,

The interplay between nutrition, allergy, and immunity in children represents a rapidly evolving research field with major clinical and public health implications. Nutritional factors, starting from maternal diet and early feeding practices, are known to influence immune system maturation, tolerance induction, and susceptibility to allergic diseases. At the same time, allergic conditions may significantly affect nutritional status, growth, and quality of life in pediatric populations.

This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current knowledge on the bidirectional relationship between nutrition and immune-mediated diseases in children. We welcome contributions that explore the role of breastfeeding, complementary feeding, micronutrients, probiotics, and dietary interventions in allergy prevention and management. In addition, studies addressing the immunological mechanisms linking diet and allergic diseases, as well as clinical trials focused on nutritional strategies for pediatric patients with food allergy, asthma, or atopic dermatitis, are encouraged to be submitted to this Special Issue.

Our goal is to stimulate discussion and disseminate new insights that may guide both clinical practice and future research in pediatric allergy and immunology.

Prof. Dr. Michele Miraglia del Giudice
Dr. Giulio Dinardo
Dr. Cristiana Indolfi
Dr. Angela Klain
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Review

16 pages, 609 KB

Open AccessReview

The Role of Zinc in Pediatric Respiratory Infections: Evidence from Clinical Trials and Real-World Studies

by Giulio Dinardo, Cristiana Indolfi, Angela Klain, Carolina Grella, Maria Angela Tosca, Michele Miraglia del Giudice and Giorgio Ciprandi

Nutrients 2026, 18(4), 557; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18040557 - 7 Feb 2026

Viewed by 889

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Zinc is an essential trace element involved in multiple aspects of immune function, including epithelial barrier integrity, innate and adaptive immune responses, regulation of inflammation and oxidative stress. Zinc deficiency has been associated with increased susceptibility to infections, particularly in the pediatric population. This narrative review aims to summarize and discuss current evidence on the role of zinc in the prevention and management of pediatric respiratory infections. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted including randomized controlled trials, real-world studies, and international guidelines published in recent years. Both zinc monotherapy and multicomponent dietary supplements containing zinc were considered. Results: Evidence consistently supports a preventive role of zinc supplementation in reducing the incidence and burden of respiratory infections, particularly in children with recurrent disease and in zinc-deficient populations. Zinc-containing multicomponent supplements demonstrated significant reductions in infection frequency and duration, alongside improved patient and parent-reported outcomes, with a favorable safety profile. In contrast, data on zinc as an adjunctive treatment during acute infections, especially severe pneumonia, are less consistent, with limited impact on major clinical outcomes. The effectiveness of zinc appears to be influenced by treatment duration, baseline nutritional status, and formulation. Conclusions: In conclusion, zinc may represent a valuable component of preventive immune-nutritional strategies for pediatric respiratory infections, especially when administered as part of multicomponent formulations and over prolonged periods. While its role in acute disease management remains uncertain, optimizing zinc status may contribute to reducing infection recurrence and overall disease burden. Further well-designed trials are warranted to clarify optimal dosing, timing, and target populations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Relationship Between Nutrition and Allergy and Immunity in Children)

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