Peanut Allergies in Children Have Doubled in Last Five Years
Study Confirms What Doctors and Parents Have Suspected
A study confirms what many doctors, parents, schools and others are seeing first-hand. Incidents of peanut allergies in children are a rapidly growing health challenge in need of vastly improved standards of care and greater public education, according to The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN).
Prevalence of peanut allergy in children doubled over a five-year period, according to the study published in the December 2003 issue of Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (JACI). As in a previous study, the subjects reported experiencing severe (79 percent) and frequent reactions (66 percent reported more than five lifetime reactions). Despite the severity and frequency, the study found that only 74 percent of children and 44 percent of adults sought medical evaluation.
Of those who did seek medical treatment, fewer than half were prescribed epinephrine, the medication of choice for controlling a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
"This is a worrisome treatment record at a time when more and more children and families are coming face-to-face with the dangers of peanut allergy," said Anne Muñoz-Furlong, CEO and founder of FAAN, the leading advocacy group for the 7 million people in the United States with food allergies. "Families must be instructed to seek the advice of their doctor, have a written emergency plan in place and never delay seeking treatment when a reaction occurs. The results can be deadly."
Allergies to peanuts (a legume) are responsible for nearly 100 deaths and 15,000 visits to emergency rooms -- about half the deaths and emergency room visits caused by all food allergies -- each year, according to FAAN.
"The survey points to an alarming gap in patient understanding about the seriousness of peanut allergy and the level of care that is required," Muñoz-Furlong said. "Eliminating this knowledge gap will require a collaborative effort among health professionals, patients, their families and friends. Doing so will save lives."
FAAN is also working with Congress and food manufacturers to adopt clearer ingredient statements -- an essential first line of defense for families affected by food allergy. In 2004, Congress is expected to take action on the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA), which would simplify ingredient statements so they could be understood by a 7-year old. In addition, FAAN continues to provide information and advice for managing food allergies. The organization, with more than 26,000 members, also makes food-allergy safety programs available to schools, childcare centers, camps and restaurants.
"Food allergy is a serious public health and food safety issue that affects all of us," added Muñoz-Furlong. "Public policy must continue to evolve to create better education about the disease, clearer labeling practices, improved patient care and effective emergency treatment programs. Such programs -- especially where children are involved -- are more critical than ever."
The study, which measured the number of people reporting peanut and/or tree nut (almonds, cashews, walnuts and pecans, for example) allergies, found that prevalence rates in 1997 and 2002 were relatively the same for the population at-large. However, reported peanut allergy in children rose dramatically, increasing from 0.4 percent in 1997 to 0.8 percent in 2002. Based on 2000 U.S. Census data, FAAN estimates that nearly 600,000 children are now affected by peanut allergy -- about 1 in every 125 children.
The vast majority of severe reactions -- anaphylaxis -- are caused by peanut allergy and allergies to nuts that grow on trees. Peanut and tree nut allergies, which typically develop in childhood, are usually not outgrown like other allergies to foods such as milk, egg and soy. Peanut and/or tree nut allergies are reported by more than 3 million Americans, according to the study.
More than 13,000 people participated in the study conducted by FAAN and Drs. Scott H. Sicherer and Hugh A. Sampson, from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. The study was sponsored by The Food Allergy Initiative (FAI), The Jaffe Family Foundation and The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN).
but I don't remember really what kind of food i can't eat but I believe I can eat almost everything but few I can't eat.. pork and few more.. but I'm not allergic but bothers my stomach tho.. 
