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ARS Home » Southeast Area » New Orleans, Louisiana » Southern Regional Research Center » Food Processing and Sensory Quality Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #296368
Title: Prevalence of peanut allergy in children of peanut farmers

Author
item JARDIS, AMANDA - St Michael'S Hospital
item LISS, GARY - St Michael'S Hospital
item Maleki, Soheila
item VADAS, PETER - St Michael'S Hospital

Submitted to: Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/16/2014
Publication Date: 1/15/2015
Citation: Jardis, A., Liss, G., Maleki, S.J., Vadas, P. 2015. Prevalence of peanut allergy in children of peanut farmers. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology. 6:29-37.

Interpretive Summary: High levels of environmental exposure to peanut during infancy appear to promote sensitization by the epicutaneous route. Children of peanut farmers are likely exposed to relatively high levels of peanut protein in their environment, increasing their risk of cutaneous sensitization. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of peanut allergy in children of peanut farmers. A survey was mailed by the National Peanut Board to peanut farmers in the United States collecting information on the number and ages of children per household, peanut consumption, peanut reactions, physician-confirmed peanut allergy (PA), epinephrine auto-injector prescription, and history of other allergies. Egg allergy (EA) served as a comparator to peanut allergy. Households in the number of 10,349 were surveyed, and 1,050 responses were received representing 2,493 children (survey participation rate 10%). PA vs EA was reported in 1.48% (37/2493) vs 1.4% (35/2493), 2.8% (14/493) vs 2.0% (10/493), and 3.69% (10/271) vs 2.6% (7/271) of all children <15 years and children <10 years, respectively. Physician-confirmed PA was reported in 1.24% (31/2493), 2.6% (13/493), and 3.3% (9/271) of all children <15 years and children <10 years, respectively. Physician-confirmed PA with epinephrine auto-injector prescription was reported in 0.68% (17/2493), 1.8% (9/493), and 1.8% (5/271) in the three groups, respectively. Our findings suggest that children of peanut farmers do not have a significantly higher prevalence of peanut allergy than the general population.

Technical Abstract: High levels of environmental exposure to peanut during infancy appear to promote sensitization by the epicutaneous route. Children of peanut farmers are likely exposed to relatively high levels of peanut protein in their environment, increasing their risk of cutaneous sensitization. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of peanut allergy in children of peanut farmers. A survey was mailed by the National Peanut Board to peanut farmers in the United States collecting information on the number and ages of children per household, peanut consumption, peanut reactions, physician-confirmed peanut allergy (PA), epinephrine auto-injector prescription and history of other allergies. Egg allergy (EA) served as a comparator to peanut allergy. Households in the number of 10,349 were surveyed, and 1,050 responses were received representing 2,493 children (survey participation rate 10%). PA vs EA was reported in 1.48% (37/2493) vs 1.4% (35/2493), 2.8% (14/493) vs 2.0% (10/493), and 3.69% (10/271) vs 2.6% (7/271) of all children, <15 years and children <10 years, respectively. Physician-confirmed PA was reported in 1.24% (31/2493), 2.6% (13/493), and 3.3% (9/271) of all children, <15 years and children <10 years, respectively. Pysician-confirmed PA with epinephrine auto-injector prescription was reported in 0.68% (17/2493), 1.8% (9/493), and 1.8% (5/271) in the three groups, respectively. Our findings suggest that children of peanut farmers do not have a significantly higher prevalence of peanut allergy than the general population.