Researchers Unveil Correlation Between Asthma, Peanut Allergy In Children

According to the preliminary research findings from an ongoing study, many children who have asthma suffer from peanut allergy. However, neither the children nor their parents are generally aware of their condition. The findings were presented by the researchers at the American Thoracic Society 2015 International Conference.

Dr. Robert Crohn, the lead researcher that the symptoms of one of the conditions mirrors those of the other. "Many of the respiratory symptoms of peanut allergy can mirror those of an asthma attack, and vice versa. Examples of those symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing."

Nearly 3 percent of the children in Australia, Western Europe and the U.S. suffer from a peanut allergy, which develops early during childhood. Evidence suggests that the sensitivity to peanuts has started to spread even in Africa and Asia.

Even a small exposure to peanuts for such children can result in severe anaphylactic shock, which can even prove fatal. Therefore, it is necessary for parents and children to be aware if the person in question is allergic to peanuts.

During the preliminary study, the researchers examined 1,517 children with asthma. Crohn's aim was to find the number of asthmatic children who were sensitive to peanuts. The researchers discovered that 11 percent of the children who had once visited the Mercy Children's Hospital in Ohio for pulmonary checkup showed a history of peanut allergy.

In addition, nearly 50 percent of the children were tested for peanut allergy, and of that group 22 percent were found to be positive for peanut sensitivity.

Another shocking fact put forward by the researchers revealed that nearly 53 percent of the parents of the kids who had peanut sensitivity were unaware of the condition of their kids.

"This study demonstrates children with asthma might benefit from a test for peanut sensitivity, especially when control of wheezing and coughing is difficult to achieve. If a physician is having this problem, or if a parent notices it in his or her asthmatic child, they should consider testing, even if they believe their child is not sensitive to peanuts," said Crohn in a press release.

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