A global survey of changing patterns of food allergy burden in children

Abstract

While food allergies and eczema are among the most common chronic non-communicable diseases in children in many countries worldwide, quality data on the burden of these diseases is lacking, particularly in developing countries. This 2012 survey was performed to collect information on existing data on the global patterns and prevalence of food allergy by surveying all the national member societies of the World Allergy Organization, and some of their neighbouring countries. Data were collected from 89 countries, including published data, and changes in the health care burden of food allergy. More than half of the countries surveyed (52/89) did not have any data on food allergy prevalence. Only 10% (9/89) of countries had accurate food allergy prevalence data, based on oral food challenges (OFC). The remaining countries (23/89) had data largely based on parent-reporting of a food allergy diagnosis or symptoms, which is recognised to overestimate the prevalence of food allergy. Based on more accurate measures, the prevalence of clinical (OFC proven) food allergy in preschool children in developed countries is now as high as 10%. In large and rapidly emerging societies of Asia, such as China, where there are documented increases in food allergy, the prevalence of OFC-proven food allergy is now around 7% in pre-schoolers, comparable to the reported prevalence in European regions. While food allergy appears to be increasing in both developed and developing countries in the last 10–15 years, there is a lack of quality comparative data. This survey also highlights inequities in paediatric allergy services, availability of adrenaline auto-injectors and standardised National Anaphylaxis Action plans. In conclusion, there remains a need to gather more accurate data on the prevalence of food allergy in many developed and developing countries to better anticipate and address the rising community and health service burden of food allergy.

Cleaning up the hygiene hypothesis

“…Prevalence of food allergy in preschool children is now as high as 10% in Western countries, but remains just 2% in areas like mainland China (4). The number of new cases of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in Finland per year is 62.3 per every 100,000 children, compared with just 6.2 in Mexico and 0.5 in Pakistan (5).…”

Immune biomarkers in the spectrum of childhood noncommunicable diseases

“…Atopic dermatitis, typically accompanied by IgE sensitization to food, and food allergy are the earliest onset NCDs and the most common chronic NCDs of childhood worldwide 39,40 . They are considered the first steps on the allergic march whereby atopic dermatitis and food allergy in infancy progress to asthma and allergic rhinitis in later childhood and into adult life 41,42 .…”

Vegetable Proteins: Non-sensitizing Encapsulation Agents for Bioactive Compounds

“…It is the most severe reaction, especially to food containing proteins, and (ii) the nonIgE-mediated allergy such as that of gluten or celiac disease, where the allergic symptom is triggered by ingestion of gluten from cereals namely wheat, rye and barley in their diets. In recent years, food allergies have caused a major health alarm affecting nearly 1% of adult population in the world and from 6 to 8% of children [2][3][4]. Thus, the prevalence of food aller gies has increased in several regions all over the world.…”

“…These glycoproteins are characterized by their ability to induce a pathogenic IgE response in susceptible individuals [7]. Usually, food allergens are formed by divalent or multivalent molecules with two or more antibodies-binding sites calls epitopes, which are responsible for interacting with immune effector molecules such as the IgE antibodies [2][3][4]. Moreover, many food proteins especially those derived from ani mal sources could act as antigens in humans.…”