Prevalence of food allergies in South Asia.

Publication/Presentation Date

1-1-2017

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the published medical literature on the prevalence and types of food allergies in South Asia.

DATA SOURCES: A PubMed search was performed using the keywords India and food allergy, Asia and food allergy, and South Asia and food allergy for any period. Articles cited in selected studies were reviewed for their appropriateness of inclusion into this review.

STUDY SELECTIONS: Publications were included that were original research and fit the topic of food allergy and South Asia. South Asia is defined as region inclusive of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

RESULTS: A total of 169 articles were initially identified, and 47 were reviewed in detail for inclusion in this review. The primary focus was placed on 10 studies that consisted of case reports of newly reported or documented food allergy, survey studies that investigated food allergy prevalence in specific demographics, and prospective and cross-sectional studies with case controls, all of which investigated food allergy prevalence by allergy testing in a selected population.

CONCLUSION: The medical literature on the prevalence and types of food allergy in South Asia indicates that there is a variety of unusual and unique allergens and an overall low incidence of food allergy. There is also an association of increased food allergy prevalence in individuals who live in metropolitan regions or who migrate to communities that have adopted westernization.

Volume

118

Issue

1

First Page

16

Last Page

20

ISSN

1534-4436

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Pediatrics

PubMedID

27864090

Department(s)

Department of Pediatrics

Document Type

Article

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