The Pennsylvania Key Report Focused on Food Allergies in Children

The Pennsylvania Key’s Health Trends in Early Childhood series for July focuses on an increase in food allergies in young children.

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In the past few decades, The Pennsylvania Key reports, food allergies in children have become increasingly more common.

An ongoing trend shows that one in 13 children has a food allergy, and research confirms that about 8% of children below age 18 have one or more food allergies.

Food allergies in children increased by 50% from 1997 to 2011 and by 50% from 2007 to 2021, The Pennsylvania Key wrote. Children, ages 10 years and below, face the highest risk of needing emergency care for allergies. 

Four in every 10 children with food allergies need emergency care, and 42.3% of children with food allergies have experienced severe allergic reactions, which can lead to life-threatening “anaphylaxis.” The prevalence of food allergies is higher among low-income children, and emergency treatment costs are 2.5 times higher for them.

The Pennsylvania Key report cites a study on peanut allergies that found that babies who ate peanuts early and often reduced their allergy risk by more than 80%. 

The report lists a number of symptoms for which parents should keep an eye out that could relate to food allergies - such as wheezing, stomach cramps, itching on the roof of the mouth, eczema, hives, itchy or watery eyes, stuffy or runny nose, or swelling of the skin, throat, or mouth.

The report also provides symptoms of anaphylaxis, a more life-threatening allergic reaction that can affect the whole body.

For more information on food allergies in children as well as steps that parents can take to ensure their child’s safety, read The Pennsylvania Key’s report.