title: Relationship between treatment with antacid medication and the prevalence of food allergy in children.
abstract: Food allergy affects 8% of preschool children, but factors responsible for food allergy in children are poorly understood. Use of antacid medication may be a contributing factor. The purpose of this study was to determine if parent-reported antacid medication use was associated with higher prevalence of food allergy in atopic children. In this cross-sectional study, parents of children with atopic diseases completed a questionnaire relating to a history of treatment with antacid medication and food allergy. Charts were independently reviewed for food-specific IgE and/or skin-prick test results. Food allergy was defined as a reaction to a food consistent with the anaphylaxis consensus statement and either an elevated food-specific IgE or a positive food skin-prick test. One hundred four questionnaires were completed. Mean age of the participating children was 7.0 ± 4.3 years (range, 5 months to 18 years of age). Forty-seven (45%) individuals were reported to have taken an antacid medication in the past. History of taking antacid medication was associated with an increased prevalence (57% (27)/47 versus 32% (18)/57) and higher prevalence of food allergy of having food allergy (aPR, 1.7 [1.1-2.5]). Mean peanut food-specific IgE was higher in those with a history of taking antacid medication (11.0 ± 5.0 versus 2.0 ± 5.5.; p = 0.01). History of treatment with antacid medication is associated with an increased prevalence of having food allergy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. kdemuth@emory.edu
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: DeMuth
authors.forename: Arlene
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stecenko
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fitzpatrick
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000863:Antacids / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000863:Antacids