Physicians lack food allergies knowledge

CHICAGO, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- An estimated 6 percent of U.S. children may have food allergies but many doctors say they're not sure they can diagnose or treat the allergies, researchers say.

Researchers at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago surveyed 400 pediatricians and family physicians nationwide and found significant misconceptions concerning food allergies.

The study found doctors acknowledged the potential for anaphylaxis -- a life-threatening allergic reaction -- but few knew the appropriate dosage of epinephrine to treat anaphylaxis, or that teenagers are at greater risk than younger children of fatality due to anaphylaxis.

"Many physicians themselves reported not being comfortable with diagnosis, treatment or interpreting labs for food allergies," study leader Dr. Ruchi Gupta said in a statement. "Understanding these misconceptions will help us to create an intervention tool to close the knowledge gap."

The study, published in Pediatrics, found 99 percent of those surveyed reported providing care for children with food allergy.

Gupta and colleagues are working on a food allergy module for use by physicians in their offices as a reference when providing care to food-allergic children.