health

Childhood food allergies more prevalent than thought

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted July 4, 2011

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Eight percent of American children (an estimated 5.9 million) have a food allergy, according to a study published online June 20 in Pediatrics. The figure is up from previous estimates of food allergies that ranged from 2% to 8% of children.

Researchers examined data on 38,480 youths younger than 18 whose parents received a survey between June 2009 and February 2010 that assessed childhood food allergies. The survey included questions about when the allergy began, the method of the diagnosis and the type of allergic reaction the child experienced.

Researchers found that peanut allergy was the most common, affecting about 2% of children. It was followed closely by an allergy to milk, which is found in 1.7% of youths, and shellfish allergies, which impact 1.4% of children. Food allergies are more common in Asian and black children than in white youths (link).

Severe allergic responses were reported in 38.7% of children with an allergy. Such reactions were most common among youths with allergies to tree nuts, peanuts, shellfish, soy and fin fish. The odds of having a severe reaction increased with age.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/07/04/hlbf0704.htm.

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