Peanut Allergy: An epidemiologic analysis of a large database
Rationale: This study describes one of the largest, well characterized, databases of children seen at a major children’s hospital with peanut allergy (PA) or peanut sensitization (PS).
Methods: Children with newly diagnosed or established PA/PS were asked to participate in an IRB approved peanut database.
Results: Over a 3 year period (2011-2014) 700 PA/PS children seen in the allergy clinics were registered. Demographic features; 64% were male, 80% were white and 10% were African-American. Medicaid covered 17%.Atopic dermatitis was diagnosed in 61% and asthma in 45%. Having a sibling with PA/PS occurred in 14%. A second food sensitivity/allergy occurred in 71.4%; milk in 20%, egg in 43%, and tree nuts in 39%. The current average age of this population is 6.9 years.
PA/PS features; 34% had a positive test for peanut and no history of a reaction. In this group, 86% had no peanut exposure. The average age in those with a reaction was 2 yrs. Reactions in the 463 children included anaphylaxis (37%), contact urticaria (28%), and diffuse urticaria (18.1%). In those who had peanut specific IgE performed (ImmunoCap, kU/L) the average values were; positive test only = 15, anaphylaxis = 25, diffuse urticaria = 17, and contact urticaria = 13. There were 11 reports of a second reaction that differed from the first reaction; anaphylaxis occurred in 6.
Conclusions: Over 3 years we have seen a significant number of children with PA/PS who have undergone an extensive evaluation. This analysis supports established observations and reveals new associations in this population of children.
Methods: Children with newly diagnosed or established PA/PS were asked to participate in an IRB approved peanut database.
Results: Over a 3 year period (2011-2014) 700 PA/PS children seen in the allergy clinics were registered. Demographic features; 64% were male, 80% were white and 10% were African-American. Medicaid covered 17%.Atopic dermatitis was diagnosed in 61% and asthma in 45%. Having a sibling with PA/PS occurred in 14%. A second food sensitivity/allergy occurred in 71.4%; milk in 20%, egg in 43%, and tree nuts in 39%. The current average age of this population is 6.9 years.
PA/PS features; 34% had a positive test for peanut and no history of a reaction. In this group, 86% had no peanut exposure. The average age in those with a reaction was 2 yrs. Reactions in the 463 children included anaphylaxis (37%), contact urticaria (28%), and diffuse urticaria (18.1%). In those who had peanut specific IgE performed (ImmunoCap, kU/L) the average values were; positive test only = 15, anaphylaxis = 25, diffuse urticaria = 17, and contact urticaria = 13. There were 11 reports of a second reaction that differed from the first reaction; anaphylaxis occurred in 6.
Conclusions: Over 3 years we have seen a significant number of children with PA/PS who have undergone an extensive evaluation. This analysis supports established observations and reveals new associations in this population of children.
