A new study has found that Black American children have higher rates of shellfish and fish allergies compared to white children. The study's authors stated that this research highlights the important role race plays in food allergies among children.
Co-author Dr. Mahboobeh Mahdavinia, head of the Allergy and Immunology Department at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, said, "Food allergies are common in the United States, and we learned from our previous studies that there are significant differences between African American and white children with food allergies, but there is much more we need to know to help our patients from racial minorities." Mahdavinia added, "In this new research study, our goal was to understand whether children from different races have similar food allergies or if there are differences based on their racial background."
During the study, researchers examined data from 664 children aged 12 and under who were diagnosed with food allergies. Of these, 36% were Black, while 64% were white. The researchers found that compared to white children, Black children were more likely to have food allergies to shellfish, fish fins, and wheat. The study's authors noted that exposure to protein products derived from crickets can cause similar allergic reactions to food allergies from shellfish and fish fins in children, and there were higher levels of food allergies to cricket protein products in impoverished neighborhoods where many Black children live. Researchers stated that their study's results support the importance of reducing Black children's exposure to crickets and their protein products.
According to co-author Dr. Susan Fox, an assistant professor in the Allergy and Immunology Department at the university, "This information can help us manage food allergies in children and all other allergic diseases, including asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema." Additionally, the study revealed that Black children with food allergies were more likely to have asthma compared to white children with food allergies and that those with shellfish allergies were also more prone to severe asthma. The study's authors noted that asthma accompanies about 70% of deaths caused by severe food allergy reactions.
Mahdavinia stated, "African American children are at a two- to three-fold higher risk of experiencing severe and fatal allergic reactions compared to white children. By knowing this information, we can identify the most at-risk patients and treat them early."
