Welcome to the Allergy and Immunology Department at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center.
The Allergy and Immunology Department at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center is the only Pediatric Referral Program for Immune Deficiencies in Missouri. Here, we provide comprehensive testing to determine whether or not your child has asthma, increased sensitivity to certain allergens, or a decreased ability to fight off infectious diseases.
Contact Us
To make an appointment, please call (314) 268-4010.
We also serve Allergy patients at other Cardinal Glennon locations in St. Louis, including St. Anthony's Medical Center in South County and St. Joseph Hospital West at Lake St. Louis. Learn about our Close to Home locations.
Common Diagnoses
Adverse reaction to vaccines
Allergic rhinitis – swelling of the nasal lining resulting in
"stuffy" or "runny" nose
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis – fungal infection
resulting in inflammation of the lungs and airways
Allergic conjunctivitis
Anaphylaxis – allergic response involving hives, swelling, and
lowered blood pressure
Asthma
Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
Drug allergy
Eosinophilic esophagitis/gastroenteritis – inflammation of the
esophagus or other parts of the digestive system
Food allergy
HIV infection and Acquired Immunodeficiency Disease (AIDS)
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis – heightened reaction to inhaled
substances such as dust and chemicals
Immunodeficiency diseases –decreased ability to resist
diseases
Insect allergy
Latex allergy
Non-allergic rhinitis
Sinusitis, fungal sinusitis – swelling of the tissue that lines the
sinuses
Urticaria (hives)
Asthma may occur with physical exertion. In some cases, a child may be woken from sleep when experiencing symptoms. Signs of asthma include:
Shortness of breath
Coughing
Wheezing
Preparing For Your Visit
Prior to the appointment, your child should stop taking all antihistamines, such as Claritin, Benadryl, Allegra, or Zyrtec for at least one week.
Your child’s initial visit to the Allergy Department at Cardinal Glennon will consist of a comprehensive analysis of his or her condition. To ensure we are providing the best care for your child, the appointment may take a few hours. For this reason, you may wish to bring something to entertain your child during that time. You may also want to arrange for other children to stay home to make certain that your focus can be on the child experiencing symptoms.
Parents are asked to bring previous medical records with them to the initial visit. This saves time and can be very helpful in diagnosing a problem. These records include:
Immunization history
Allergy testing results
Lab results
Medication records
What to Expect from Your Visit
When you arrive, you will be asked to register your child by verifying insurance information. When that is complete, a Pediatric Clinical Partner will measure your child’s vital signs, height and weight. After that, a nurse will go over the results and ask you and your child several questions about his or her symptoms and past/current medications. A physician will then consult with you and your child and make recommendations for testing, which is typically done the same day as the appointment.
Tests We Provide
Allergy Skin Test – a non-painful (no needles) method of allergy testing. Results are available within 20 minutes.
Pulmonary Function Test – breathing into a tube to assess lung function. Results are available the same day.
Patch Allergy Skin Test – specialized testing for food allergies.
Results generally take about four days.
Immune System Evaluation – series of blood tests.
Results usually take a few weeks to come back.
Radiologic Testing – exam of the sinuses and lungs.
Results are usually available within a day, but may take up to a week.
Jeffrey Modell Diagnostic Center for Primary Immunodeficiences
The Jeffrey Modell Diagnostic Center for Primary Immunodeficiencies sees patients with primary immune deficiency disorders. The goal of the center, created through the Jeffrey Modell Foundation, is to diagnose and treat patients with defects in the immune system that are carried through the genes. More than 150 immunodeficiencies have been identified to date, affecting more than 1 million Americans.
For a referral to the Jeffrey Modell Diagnostic Center at SSM Cardinal Glennon, call 577-4014.
Signs and Symptoms
These 10 warning signs of an immunodeficiency were developed by the Jeffrey Modell Foundation Medical Advisory Board:
Four or more new ear infections within 1 year
Two or more serious sinus infections within 1 year
Two or more months on antibiotics with little effect
Two or more pneumonias within 1 year
Failure of an infant to gain weight or grow normally
Recurrent, deep skin or organ abscesses
Persistent thrush in mouth or fungal infection on skin
Need for intravenous antibiotics to clear infections
Two or more deep-seated infections including septicemia
A family history of PI
Specialty Care Clinics
Allergy Challenge Clinic - perform controlled food and drug contact testing to evaluate for allergic diseases.
Asthma Center for Children - to provide ongoing care for pediatric asthma patients.
Additional Resources
Watch videos about How the Body Works and learn more about your child's health in our KidsHealth library and resource center.
For Kids
For Parents
For Teens
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders
Jeffery Modell Foundation, Primary Immunodeficiency Resource Center
The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network
Meet the Team
Alan Knutsen, MD, Director
Bradley Becker, MD
Manoj Warrier, MD
Chris Fultz, RN
Wendy Sanders, RN
Theresa Forsythe, Secretary