Topical Review: Pediatric Food Allergies Among Diverse Children

OBJECTIVE: To present a brief review of the literature regarding potential racial/ethnic disparities in pediatric food allergy (FA). METHODS: Topical review considering data regarding FA prevalence, asthma comorbidity, epinephrine access/use, and psychosocial impact (e.g., burden, quality of life). RESULTS: Methodological variation precludes firm conclusions regarding disparities in prevalence; however, some data suggest Black children may be at particular risk. The comorbidity of FA and asthma among urban populations may increase risk of negative outcomes. There are clear racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in epinephrine access and use. Psychosocial measures are frequently validated on samples that are not racially or ethnically diverse. Studies investigating FA's psychosocial impact are often composed of mostly White, non-Hispanic participants (>85% of study sample). CONCLUSIONS: Further research is needed to clarify prevalence patterns by race/ethnicity, to investigate the sources of disparity in epinephrine use, and to evaluate the differential impact of FA on diverse children.