The changing face of food hypersensitivity in an Asian community

Abstract

In contrast to previously reported low peanut allergy rates in Asia, in our review, peanut sensitization is present in 27% (62/227) of food-allergic children, mostly in patients with multiple food protein sensitizations. Temporal patterns of first exposure of infants to fish and shellfish are unique to the Asian diet. Shellfish are a major sensitizing food source in Asian children, especially in allergic rhinitis patients sensitized to cockroaches.