Food allergy: epidemiology and natural history

Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2015 Feb;35(1):45-59. doi: 10.1016/j.iac.2014.09.004. Epub 2014 Nov 21.

Abstract

The prevalence of food allergy is rising for unclear reasons, with prevalence estimates in the developed world approaching 10%. Knowledge regarding the natural course of food allergies is important because it can aid the clinician in diagnosing food allergies and in determining when to consider evaluation for food allergy resolution. Many food allergies with onset in early childhood are outgrown later in childhood, although a minority of food allergy persists into adolescence and even adulthood. More research is needed to improve food allergy diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

Keywords: Egg; Epidemiology; Food allergy; Milk; Natural history; Peanut.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / immunology*
  • Child
  • Egg Hypersensitivity / epidemiology
  • Food Hypersensitivity / epidemiology*
  • Food Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E / immunology*
  • Milk Hypersensitivity / epidemiology
  • Nut Hypersensitivity / epidemiology
  • Peanut Hypersensitivity / epidemiology
  • Risk Factors
  • Wheat Hypersensitivity / epidemiology

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Immunoglobulin E