Black children were more likely than other children to have multiple food allergies, and African ancestry was associated with peanut sensitization.
To explore associations between genetic ancestry and food allergen sensitization, researchers in Boston studied an urban birth cohort of 1104 children (mean age, 2.7 years) who were enrolled in the Children's Health Study. Parents self-categorized their infants as black (61%), Hispanic (22%), white (6%), or other (11%); 49% of households reported annual income of <US$30,000.
Food sensitization was defined as detectable levels of specific IgE antibodies against any of eight common food allergens (egg white, cow's milk, peanut, soy, shrimp, walnut, wheat, and cod). Global genetic ancestry (African, European, and Asian) was determined by genotyping. Of interest, with each quartile of increasing African ancestry, a corresponding increase in pean…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH Institutional Clinical and Translational Science Award; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality National Center for Pediatric Practice Based Research Learning; Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Editorial BoardsCurrent Problems in Pediatric Adolescent Healthcare
Leadership Positions in Professional Societies College of Physicians of Philadelphia (Board of Trustees)
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH Institutional Clinical and Translational Science Award; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality National Center for Pediatric Practice Based Research Learning; Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Editorial BoardsCurrent Problems in Pediatric Adolescent Healthcare
Leadership Positions in Professional Societies College of Physicians of Philadelphia (Board of Trustees)