Black children have significantly higher rates of shellfish and fish allergies than white children

Black children have significantly higher rates of shellfish and fish allergies than white children, confirming that race plays an important role in how children are affected by food allergies, Rush University researchers found. Medical Center.

The results of the study were published in the February issue of Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice.

Food allergy is a common illness in the United States, and we know from our previous research that there are important differences between African American and white children with food allergies, but there is so much that we we need to know to be able to help our patients. minority groups. “

Dr Mahboobeh Mahdavinia, Lead Study Author and Head, Division of Allergy and Immunology, Rush University Medical Center

The large, multi-center, national trial, called Food Allergy Management and Outcomes Related to White and African American Racial Differences (FORWARD), aimed to carefully study the disparities between black and white children in food allergy outcomes.

“In this current article, our aim was to understand whether children of different races are allergic to similar foods, or if there is a difference based on their racial background,” Mahdavinia said.

Food allergy is a major public health problem, affecting 8% of children in the United States, with an estimated economic burden of $ 24.8 billion per year. In people with food allergies, a tiny amount of food can trigger signs and symptoms such as hives, respiratory and digestive problems, or anaphylaxis (a serious, life-threatening allergic reaction).

“It has been well documented that the prevalence of food allergies has increased in children in the United States, but there is little data and research on its frequency, severity, and outcomes among minority races and ethnicities,” said said Mahdavinia.

She and her colleagues conducted a large study of children ages newborn to 12 years old who were diagnosed with food allergy and who were seen in allergy / immunology clinics at four urban tertiary care centers in the States. United, including Rush University Medical Center, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and National Children’s Hospital, located in Washington, DC. The study included 664 children and was made up of 36% black children and 64% non-Hispanic white children.

Exposure to cockroaches can lead to shellfish allergy

The study found that black children were more likely to have an allergy to shellfish and finfish, as well as a higher chance of having a wheat allergy, compared to non-Hispanic white children. Researchers suspect that the shellfish allergy may stem from inhaling tropomyosin, the protein of two common household allergens, mites and cockroaches, which share 80% of the amino acid sequencing with shellfish.

Exposure to cockroaches may be the mechanism by which children develop a shellfish allergy, as higher levels of cockroach allergens have been found in inner-city inner-city neighborhoods where many black children live. Tropomyosin, which regulates muscle contraction and relaxation, has also been found in finfish.

While scientists are still trying to understand the exact mechanism of the allergy, the results provide additional insight into the importance of reducing the exposure of black children to cockroaches.

“This information can help us treat not only a child’s food allergy, but all of their allergic conditions, including asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis,” said Susan Fox, PA-C, MMS, study co-author and medical assistant in allergology and immunology at Rush University Medical Center.

In this study, black children with food allergies were more likely to have asthma. The study showed that children with shellfish allergies were more likely to have more severe asthma, while other food allergens were not associated with an asthma diagnosis.

“A major concern is that the prevalence of asthma is higher in African American children with food allergies than in white children with food allergies.” About 70% of fatal food anaphylaxis is accompanied by asthma. African American children are two to three times the risk of fatal anaphylaxis compared to white children, ”said Mahdavinia. “By knowing this information, he can identify the patients most at risk.

“We need to conduct further research to identify food allergies and food sensitivities among all races and ethnicities so that we can develop culturally sensitive and effective educational programs to improve food allergy outcomes for all children,” Mahdavinia added.