Biodun.BBC: ANALYSIS AND BREAKING: Severe allergic reactions rise in children in England over past five years

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Image captionNatasha Ednan-Laperouse died in 2016 after eating a baguette containing hidden sesame

by Selina O'Grady and Biodun Iginla, BBC News Health Analysts, London

The number of children being admitted to hospital in England with a severe allergic reaction has risen every year for the past five years.

NHS figures show 1,746 children were treated for anaphylactic shock in 2018-19, up from 1,015 in 2013-14.

The parents of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who died in 2016 after eating a baguette containing sesame, called the increase "deeply alarming".

Scientists say environmental factors could be to blame for more allergies.

When adults with severe allergic reactions treated in hospital were also included, the figures rose from 4,107 cases to 5,497 over five years.

Children under 10 were most likely to be affected by anaphylaxis, with 1,018 admitted to hospital last year - compared with 601 in 2013-14.

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening.

Children admitted to hospital with severe allergic reactions

The most common causes of severe allergic reactions are foods such as nuts, fish and shellfish but they can also be triggered by wasp and bee stings, drugs and dairy products.

Even the tiniest exposure to one of these allergens can be enough to set off an anaphylactic reaction and bring on breathing difficulties, fast heartbeat and loss of consciousness.

Sesame seeds — Image captionSesame is one of 14 allergens consumers must be made aware of in food products

The increase in allergies is not thought to be simply due to society becoming more aware of them and better at diagnosing them.

Instead, scientists believe factors such as dietary changes, exposure to microbes and pollution may play a role in the rise - particularly for Western lifestyles.

'Allergy emergency'

Natasha's mother, Tanya Ednan-Laperouse, said: "These terrifying figures show we are facing an allergy emergency.

"The number of children with allergies and suffering severe allergic reactions is rising year-on-year at a deeply alarming rate."

Hasan Arshad, professor of allergy and clinical immunology at the University of Southampton, said the figures confirmed "a worrying increase in severe food allergy".

"We should not forget that behind each of these numbers is a child or adult who has suffered the most severe consequences of an anaphylactic shock," he said.

Media captionNew ingredient proposals: "This will help so many allergy sufferers," say Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse

Fifteen-year-old Natasha had a severe and fatal allergic reaction to an artichoke, olive and tapenade baguette bought from Pret a Manger.

She was allergic to sesame seed but this was not listed on the product label.

Despite her father, Nadim, administering two EpiPen injections, Natasha died in a hospital within hours.

Natasha's parents have campaigned for a change in the law to require producers of pre-packed foods to list all their ingredients. This law will come into force in 2021.

Up until now, takeaways and restaurants have had to let customers know only if any of the 14 most dangerous allergens - including peanuts, eggs and milk - are contained in them.

Natasha's parents have also set up the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, with the ultimate aim of finding a cure for allergies.