Diagnosed Allergic Conditions in Children Aged 0-17 Years: United States, 2021

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
• Public Health and Epidemiology
• Dermatology and Clinical Immunology

Background:

• Increasing prevalence of childhood allergic conditions over recent decades.
• Seasonal allergies (hay fever, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis) present with symptoms like sneezing and itchy eyes.
• Eczema (atopic dermatitis) manifests as itchy rashes and thickened skin.
• Food allergies can trigger severe reactions, including anaphylaxis, posing life-threatening risks.
• Children with allergies experience increased healthcare utilization and reduced quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the prevalence of diagnosed seasonal allergies, eczema, and food allergies in children.
• To analyze these allergy percentages by sex, age, and race and Hispanic origin.
• To provide updated epidemiological data on childhood allergic conditions.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the 2021 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS).
• Analyzed diagnosed cases of seasonal allergy, eczema, and food allergy.
• Stratified prevalence data by demographic factors: sex, age, and race and Hispanic origin.

Main Results:

• Presents the percentage distribution of children diagnosed with seasonal allergy, eczema, or food allergy.
• Highlights variations in allergy prevalence across different demographic groups (sex, age, race/Hispanic origin).
• Provides a statistical overview of allergic conditions in the pediatric population based on 2021 NHIS data.

Conclusions:

• Childhood allergic conditions represent a significant public health concern with varying demographic impacts.
• Understanding prevalence by sex, age, and race/Hispanic origin is crucial for targeted interventions.
• The findings underscore the need for continued monitoring and research into pediatric allergies.