ATLANTA — Food Allergies are becoming more common, affecting four out of every 100 children, according to a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2007, about 3 million children under age 18 (3.9%) surveyed were reported to have a food or digestive allergy in the previous 12 months, an 18% increase from 1997. Children with a food allergy are two to four times more likely to have other related conditions, such as asthma and other allergies, compared with children without food allergies. From 2004 to 2006, there were approximately 9,500 hospital discharges per year with a diagnosis related to food allergy among children under age 18. Eight types of food account for more than 90% of allergic reactions in affected individuals: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat.
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