Peanut Allergy in Children Study: Wealthy Families May Be At Higher Risk

A new study, presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology in California, has found that peanut allergies may be more likely to occur in rich households. The study looked at over 8,300 participants, 800 of which had peanut sensitivities. Those 800 had higher levels of peanut antibodies, which could develop into an allergy.

The results of the study were that a correlation was found between household income and the prevalence of peanut antibodies. The lead author of the study, Dr. Sandy Yip, commented on the findings. “Overall household income is only associated with peanut sensitization in children ages 1 to 9 years. This may indicate that development of peanut sensitization at a young age is related to affluence, but those developed later in life are not.”

The study additionally found that males were more likely to have the antibodies, racial minorities were more likely to have the antibodies, and that the sensitivities peaked between 10 and 19 years of age.

While the study found statistical correlations, it did not find causation.

Source: US News