CHICAGO, Dec 15, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- An estimated 6 percent of U.S.
children may have food allergies but many doctors say they're not sure they can
diagnose or treat the allergies, researchers say.
Researchers at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago surveyed 400
pediatricians and family physicians nationwide and found significant
misconceptions concerning food allergies.
The study found doctors acknowledged the potential for anaphylaxis -- a
life-threatening allergic reaction -- but few knew the appropriate dosage of
epinephrine to treat anaphylaxis, or that teenagers are at greater risk than
younger children of fatality due to anaphylaxis.
"Many physicians themselves reported not being comfortable with diagnosis,
treatment or interpreting labs for food allergies," study leader Dr. Ruchi Gupta
said in a statement. "Understanding these misconceptions will help us to create
an intervention tool to close the knowledge gap."
The study, published in Pediatrics, found 99 percent of those surveyed reported
providing care for children with food allergy.
Gupta and colleagues are working on a food allergy module for use by physicians
in their offices as a reference when providing care to food-allergic children.
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Copyright 2009 by United Press International