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CNN Live At Daybreak

Food Allergies in Children Increasing

Aired June 02, 2003 - 06:52   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: A warning for parents this morning -- food allergies in children are on the rise. And we're not just talking about peanuts.
Here to talk more about this is Dr. Sandra Fryhofer.

Good morning to you.

DR. SANDRA FRYHOFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

COSTELLO: So how common is this?

FRYHOFER: Well, about five to 10 percent of young children have food allergies and they tend to peak when kids are about one years old. And the main triggers include foods like milk, eggs, wheat, soy. So there's a whole list of different things that people need to be concerned about. And also some kids have problems with certain fruits and vegetables, including citrus fruits, strawberries and tomatoes. So these are things to be concerned about, as well.

The most severe reactions can usually be traced to peanuts, tree nuts and seafood, and these foods can show up in unexpected places. For example, non-dairy doesn't mean no dairy. Milk protein can be found in non-dairy products, including coffee whiteners, also hot dogs and some deli meats. Some Mexican restaurants put peanut butter in their enchilada sauce and peanuts are often used in gravy, barbecue sauce, egg rolls and fish is often found in imitation shell fish and Worcestershire sauce.

COSTELLO: So do children usually outgrow these allergies?

FRYHOFER: Well, Carol, it depends upon the food. Most milk and egg allergies are outgrown, but the nut and the seafood allergies usually remain lifelong problems and these are the ones that are most likely to cause fatal or near fatal reactions. Some children seem to rapidly outgrow their allergies no matter what they eat, while others fail to lose their allergies, even on a real strict diet.

The avoidance diets are pretty tough. You have to check the labels carefully. And it's not that easy because these labels are written for food scientists, not for consumers. For example, you just can't look for the word egg. You also have to look for words like albumen and globulin. Wheat is often called cereal extract or spelt. Milk is called casein protein. And ingredients on your favorite brand can change without warning. Even flavors and spices can be a problem, and there are reports of children experiencing a reaction to milk and the only indication on the label was natural flavors. So if you have questions, call the manufacturer and be specific about your question. Also, be aware that labeling standards in other countries are not as strict, so be careful about imported foods.

COSTELLO: So let's say your kid eats something and has an allergic reaction, what can you do about it?

FRYHOFER: Well, if you think your child may be having an allergic reaction, talk to your pediatrician first. And then your pediatrician may send you to an allergist who can do actual allergy testing. The signs of an allergic reaction, the things to watch for include mouth itching and swelling of the lips, tongue or mouth, throat tightness, hoarseness, hives, an itchy rash, swelling of the skin, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting. Some kids experience shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, sometimes a weak pulse, passing out.

Food allergies are quite dangerous and they're to blame for 30,000 anaphylactic reactions, 2,000 hospitalizations and 200 deaths each year in the United States.

So if your child, if you think your child does have them, there's some medications you need to have on board and we've got those right here on the set. That would include some antihistamines, Benadryl and also an EpiPen, which is a prescription dose of epinephrine that could actually save your child's life.

COSTELLO: Good advice.

Thank you very much.

Dr. Sandy Fryhofer joining us this morning.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired June 2, 2003 - 06:52   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: A warning for parents this morning -- food allergies in children are on the rise. And we're not just talking about peanuts.
Here to talk more about this is Dr. Sandra Fryhofer.

Good morning to you.

DR. SANDRA FRYHOFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

COSTELLO: So how common is this?

FRYHOFER: Well, about five to 10 percent of young children have food allergies and they tend to peak when kids are about one years old. And the main triggers include foods like milk, eggs, wheat, soy. So there's a whole list of different things that people need to be concerned about. And also some kids have problems with certain fruits and vegetables, including citrus fruits, strawberries and tomatoes. So these are things to be concerned about, as well.

The most severe reactions can usually be traced to peanuts, tree nuts and seafood, and these foods can show up in unexpected places. For example, non-dairy doesn't mean no dairy. Milk protein can be found in non-dairy products, including coffee whiteners, also hot dogs and some deli meats. Some Mexican restaurants put peanut butter in their enchilada sauce and peanuts are often used in gravy, barbecue sauce, egg rolls and fish is often found in imitation shell fish and Worcestershire sauce.

COSTELLO: So do children usually outgrow these allergies?

FRYHOFER: Well, Carol, it depends upon the food. Most milk and egg allergies are outgrown, but the nut and the seafood allergies usually remain lifelong problems and these are the ones that are most likely to cause fatal or near fatal reactions. Some children seem to rapidly outgrow their allergies no matter what they eat, while others fail to lose their allergies, even on a real strict diet.

The avoidance diets are pretty tough. You have to check the labels carefully. And it's not that easy because these labels are written for food scientists, not for consumers. For example, you just can't look for the word egg. You also have to look for words like albumen and globulin. Wheat is often called cereal extract or spelt. Milk is called casein protein. And ingredients on your favorite brand can change without warning. Even flavors and spices can be a problem, and there are reports of children experiencing a reaction to milk and the only indication on the label was natural flavors. So if you have questions, call the manufacturer and be specific about your question. Also, be aware that labeling standards in other countries are not as strict, so be careful about imported foods.

COSTELLO: So let's say your kid eats something and has an allergic reaction, what can you do about it?

FRYHOFER: Well, if you think your child may be having an allergic reaction, talk to your pediatrician first. And then your pediatrician may send you to an allergist who can do actual allergy testing. The signs of an allergic reaction, the things to watch for include mouth itching and swelling of the lips, tongue or mouth, throat tightness, hoarseness, hives, an itchy rash, swelling of the skin, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting. Some kids experience shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, sometimes a weak pulse, passing out.

Food allergies are quite dangerous and they're to blame for 30,000 anaphylactic reactions, 2,000 hospitalizations and 200 deaths each year in the United States.

So if your child, if you think your child does have them, there's some medications you need to have on board and we've got those right here on the set. That would include some antihistamines, Benadryl and also an EpiPen, which is a prescription dose of epinephrine that could actually save your child's life.

COSTELLO: Good advice.

Thank you very much.

Dr. Sandy Fryhofer joining us this morning.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com