Abstract | BACKGROUND: Published surveys depicting the increase in the incidence of food allergy, especially peanut or tree nut allergy, in children have not reported any differences in race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the demographics of schoolchildren with diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic characteristics dispensed injectable epinephrine. METHODS: School nurses in 44 schools enrolling 21,875 students recorded the characteristics of students dispensed injectable epinephrine in the 2003-2004 school year. Surveyed school districts included 2 affluent suburban districts enrolling 5,855 students (> 92% white) and 1 urban district enrolling 16,020 students (60% nonwhite). RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS: This study found significant racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic differences in the prevalence of childhood allergic disorders, especially peanut or tree nut allergy, requiring prescribed injectable epinephrine in a school setting. Additional studies are needed to determine whether minority children are being underdiagnosed or undertreated for allergic disorders requiring injectable epinephrine or whether they truly have a lower incidence of such allergic disorders.
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Authors | Paul J Hannaway, Mary Ellen Connelly, Roberta M Cobbett, Paula J Dobrow |
Journal | Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
(Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol)
Vol. 95
Issue 2
Pg. 143-8
(Aug 2005)
ISSN: 1081-1206 [Print] United States |
PMID | 16136763
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Bronchodilator Agents
- Epinephrine
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Asian People
- Black People
- Bronchodilator Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Epinephrine
(therapeutic use)
- Female
- Food Hypersensitivity
(drug therapy, epidemiology)
- Hispanic or Latino
- Humans
- Male
- Massachusetts
(epidemiology)
- Nut Hypersensitivity
(drug therapy, epidemiology)
- Social Class
- Suburban Population
- Urban Population
- White People
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