The NCHS (National Center for Health Statistics) has confirmed what many parents and school nurses already know: Food allergies among those under the age of 18 is on the rise. From 1997-2007, there has been an 18% increase.
There are some other interesting statistics in the report, such as Hispanics reporting a lower rate of food allergy and that food allergy does not appear to differ by gender. Food allergic children are also 2-4 times more likely to experience other allergic conditions and asthma. Perhaps pediatricians and family doctors will now be more likely to consider food allergies when they see babies with infant eczema or infant wheezing.
Check out the full report here.
There are some other interesting statistics in the report, such as Hispanics reporting a lower rate of food allergy and that food allergy does not appear to differ by gender. Food allergic children are also 2-4 times more likely to experience other allergic conditions and asthma. Perhaps pediatricians and family doctors will now be more likely to consider food allergies when they see babies with infant eczema or infant wheezing.
Check out the full report here.
