Sharp Increase in Food Allergies among Children and Questions Remain Why

November 20, 2009 - A study published on the November 16, online edition of Pediatrics shows that reported food allergies – along with related visits to doctors and hospitals – have risen dramatically among children in the U.S. over the past decade.  Nevertheless, the underlying causes are unclear.

According to the study, the prevalence of self-reported food allergies increased by 18% from 1997 to 2007, and outpatient visits to medical facilities for treatment of food allergies nearly tripled from 1993 to 2006.  In addition, between 2003 and 2006, children were taken for an estimated 317,000 food allergy-related visits per year to emergency rooms and outpatient departments and doctors offices. And hospitalizations of children with food allergies increased from an average of 2,600 per year during 1998 to 2000 to 9,500 per year from 2004 to 2006. 

The study could not determine how much of the increase is attributable to clinical disease and how much is related to enhanced awareness by physicians, other healthcare providers, and parents.  However, one possible reason was increased use of food allergy V codes, that is, patient case notations that record health issues not directly related to the cause of hospitalization. 

In addition, the study found increases in food allergy prevalence were shown across gender, age, and race.  Nevertheless, disparities in the prevalence were revealed – black children were twice as likely as white children to test positive for peanut allergies on blood tests and were twice as likely to have detectable signs of milk allergies.  Black children were also four times as likely as white children to have detectable antibodies for shellfish.  And, while, not as likely to have food allergies as black children, Hispanic children were more likely to have food allergies than were white children. 

Given these statistics, it is imperative that schools address food allergies within their policies, programs and practices.   Part of that process is ensuring that there are established emergency protocols for life-threatening food allergy reactions such as anaphylaxis. With support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NSBA’s School Health Programs is currently developing policy guidance for policymakers and practitioners as well as a comprehensive toolkit targeting essential stakeholders to help them better manage food allergies among students, so stay tuned! 

Source: "Food Allergy Prevalence Rises Dramatically," Medpage Today, November 16, 2009.