How much do you know about food allergy?
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, 18-05-2012 at 20:30
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How much do you know about food allergies?
Did you know that the number of children with food allergies continues to rise and that we've seen a boom in the past 20 years?
Did you also know that is Food Allergy Awareness Week this week?
We've been chatting with the people at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute about some new research they have conducted on food allergies.
Sunlight linked to food allergy and eczema
This study has highlighted a possible link between food allergy, eczema and where you live.
It found that, in the four to five year old age group, children living in the southern parts of Australia were more likely to have both food allergy and eczema.
It also showed that, in the eight to nine year old age group, the chance of having a peanut allergy was six times greater and the odds of having eczema were twice as great in the southernmost children, compared with those living up north.
Lead researcher associate professor Katie Allen says the study adds weight to the idea that sunlight might play a role in the rise of food allergy and eczema.
"The results of our study provides further motivation for research into possible casual links into UV radiation and vitamin D levels in this disease group," she said.
Test will improve peanut allergy diagnosis
A new way to accurately test for peanut allergy has been developed. The new test is more cost effective and convenient plus will minimise over-diagnosis of peanut allergy.
Currently, an oral food challenge is used for diagnosing peanut allergy but it's time-consuming, costly and puts patients at risk of severe reaction.
The new test uses part of the peanut protein called 'Arah2' and involves a two-step screening process. Researchers found they could perform a blood test, followed by the Arah2 test, which was more accurate and highly predictive than using one of the tests alone.
For more information visit the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
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