MUHC Researchers Publish Study on Prevalence of Peanut Allergy

As you prepare tasty treats for the holidays remember to think twice about adding peanuts. According to investigators Dr. Rhoda Kagan and Dr. Ann Clarke at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), the prevalence of peanut allergies in Quebec children is higher than anticipated. Their study, published in the December issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, shows that 1.5 percent of children are affected by this allergy. MUHC immunologist, also an associate professor at McGill University's Faculty of Medicine and senior author Dr. Ann Clarke says these findings are higher than previously reported, indicating that the prevalence of peanut allergies may be on the rise.

This study is are available online at http://www2.us.elsevierhealth.com