Self Reported Prevalence Of Food Allergy Symptoms In An Inner City Minority General Pediatric Population

Abstract

RATIONALE: The prevalence of food allergy is higher in pediatric population compared to the adult population, affecting 6% of the US population less than 5 years of age and 3-4% of the general population. Children with atopic conditions tend to have a higher prevalence of food allergy. The prevalence studies of food allergy and its relationship with other atopic conditions in African American children are few.METHODS: A survey of allergic symptoms and family history of children being evaluated for other reasons at our institution was performed. Patients receiving general pediatric care and emergency room care completed the survey. Presence of food and other allergy and relationship to family history was determinedRESULTS: Prevalence of food allergy symptoms in this inner city pediatric population (median age 5yrs) was 20.5%, which is higher than in the general US pediatric population. Prevalence of atopic symptoms was 44.9% and family history of allergy was 40.9%. There was a strong association between other atopic conditions and presence of food allergy (p<0.001). However, no significant association was found between food allergy and family history of allergy. The three most common food allergies were seafood (6.2%), peanut (5.4%), and fruits (3.1%)CONCLUSIONS: Almost half of the general pediatric population has allergic disease symptoms at our center in Brooklyn. Although prevalence of allergic disease is also high in their relatives, there is no significant association with food allergy symptoms in children. In this population food allergy is an emerging health problem as these children grow RATIONALE: The prevalence of food allergy is higher in pediatric population compared to the adult population, affecting 6% of the US population less than 5 years of age and 3-4% of the general population. Children with atopic conditions tend to have a higher prevalence of food allergy. The prevalence studies of food allergy and its relationship with other atopic conditions in African American children are few. METHODS: A survey of allergic symptoms and family history of children being evaluated for other reasons at our institution was performed. Patients receiving general pediatric care and emergency room care completed the survey. Presence of food and other allergy and relationship to family history was determined RESULTS: Prevalence of food allergy symptoms in this inner city pediatric population (median age 5yrs) was 20.5%, which is higher than in the general US pediatric population. Prevalence of atopic symptoms was 44.9% and family history of allergy was 40.9%. There was a strong association between other atopic conditions and presence of food allergy (p<0.001). However, no significant association was found between food allergy and family history of allergy. The three most common food allergies were seafood (6.2%), peanut (5.4%), and fruits (3.1%) CONCLUSIONS: Almost half of the general pediatric population has allergic disease symptoms at our center in Brooklyn. Although prevalence of allergic disease is also high in their relatives, there is no significant association with food allergy symptoms in children. In this population food allergy is an emerging health problem as these children grow