Background and aims: The term “Food Allergy” refers to a complex global health problem with
a wide spectrum of severity. However, a uniform definition of severe food allergy is currently
missing. This systematic review is the preliminary step towards a state-of-the-art synopsis of the
current evidence relating to the severity of IgE-mediated food allergy; it will inform attempts to
develop a consensus to define food allergy severity by clinicians and other stakeholders.
Methods: We will undertake a systematic review, which will involve searching international
biomedical databases for published studies. Studies will be independently screened against predefined eligibility criteria and critically appraised by established instruments. Data will be
descriptively and, if possible and applicable, quantitatively synthesised.
Ethics and dissemination: This study does not require any specific ethical approval since it is a
systematic review. We plan to report results from this systematic review in a peer reviewed journal.
These results will be used to inform the development of an international consensus to define
severe food allergy. Author's potential conflicts of interest are clearly stated.
PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020183103.