Lentil hypersensitivity pneumonitis as a masquerader in an infant with recurrent pneumonia

Lentils appear to be the most frequent legume associated with childhood allergies in the Mediterranean and India. The prevalence of food-allergic diseases in childhood is around 3%, with a range between 1.4-4% for common allergens. The Papilionaceae family, which includes legumes such as lentils, chickpeas, green beans, peanuts, and soy, is a significant part of the European diet. These foods are among the top five causes of immunoglobulin E-mediated allergic reactions. These allergies often begin early, before the age of four. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) causes a different immune reaction in your body than pollen or pet allergies. Unlike common allergies that cause hay fever and asthma, repeated exposure to allergens that cause HP can lead to inflammation that can permanently damage your lungs. We report a case of an infant who developed HP after recurrent aspiration/inhalation of lentils.