A study from Rush University Medical Center in the US has shown that black children in that country are more likely to have allergies to fish and shellfish than white children.
Some 8% of children in the US suffer from food allergies, which can result in signs and symptoms such as hives, breathing and digestive problems or anaphylaxis, sometimes severe enough to be life-threatening.
Lead author Dr Mahboobeh Mahdavinia at Rush University Medical Center, explained: “Food allergy is a common condition in the U.S., and we know from our previous research that there are important differences between African-American and white children with food allergy, but there is so much we need to know to be able to help our patients from minority groups.”
The study found that the black children were more likely to have an allergy to shellfish and fin fish, and also higher odds of having a wheat allergy, compared to the white children. The researchers believe the reason for this is environmental and socioeconomic: in the US, black children are more likely to be exposed to cockroaches than white children due to the increased probability of living in more socioeconomically deprived areas.
Tropomyosin, a protein found in two common household allergens, dust mite and cockroaches, share 80% of amino acid sequencing with shellfish. Some 72-98% of individuals allergic to prawns have an immunoglobin E response to tropomyosin. It has also been found in fin fish. Although the exact mechanism by which the allergy is established is not known, it provides evidence as to the importance of reducing the exposure of black children to cockroaches.
The study also showed that shellfish allergy was associated with increased asthma risk in black children. “This information can help us care for not only a child’s food allergy, but all of their allergic diseases, including asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis,” said co-author Susan Fox, PA-C, MMS, an allergy and immunology physician assistant at Rush University Medical Center.
The increased risk of asthma combined with food allergies can prove a lethal combination for children. “A major concern is that there is a higher prevalence of asthma in African-American children with food allergies when compared with white children with food allergies. Approximately 70% of fatal food anaphylaxis is accompanied by asthma. African-American children are at a two- to threefold risk of fatal anaphylaxis compared to white children,” Dr Mahdavinia said. “By knowing this information, it can identify [our] most at risk patients.
“We need to conduct further research to identify food allergies and food sensitivities among all races and ethnicities so we can develop culturally-sensitive and effective educational programs to improve food allergy outcomes for all children,” Dr Mahdavinia concluded.
Source: News-Medical.Net
