Allergy Asthma Immunol Res.  2018 Jul;10(4):290-299. 10.4168/aair.2018.10.4.290.

How Different Parts of the World Provide New Insights Into Food Allergy

• Tham EH
• Leung DY

• KMID: 2421667
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4168/aair.2018.10.4.290

Abstract

The prevalence and patterns of food allergy are highly variable in different parts of the world. Differences in food allergy epidemiology may be attributed to a complex interplay of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors, suggesting that mechanisms of food allergy may differ in various global populations. Genetic polymorphisms, migration, climate, and infant feeding practices all modulate food allergy risk, and possibly also the efficacy of interventions aimed at primary prevention of food allergy development. Approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of food allergy should thus be tailored carefully to each population's unique genetic and environmental make-up. Future research in the context of food allergy prevention should focus on elucidating factors determining differential responses between populations.

Keyword

Food allergy; genetics; atopic dermatitis; food allergy prevention

MeSH Terms

Climate
Dermatitis, Atopic
Diagnosis
Epidemiology
Epigenomics
Food Hypersensitivity*
Genetics
Humans
Infant
Polymorphism, Genetic
Prevalence
Primary Prevention

Figure

• 

  Figure Studies are categorized according to level of evidence; OFC proven food allergy (orange bars); or questionnaires/parental reporting (grey bars). Figure from Prescott et al. A global survey of changing patterns of food allergy burden in children. World Allergy Organization Journal. 2013 Dec 4;6(1):21. doi: 10.1186/1939-4551-6-21. BioMed Central Ltd.

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