Management of Food Allergy in Schools: Clinical Report

Abstract

This clinical report updates and replaces a 2010 clinical report from the American Academy of Pediatrics that addressed food allergy management in schools. Food allergy affects up to 10% of children, and anaphylaxis is estimated to occur in 1 in 15 schools per year. School food allergy management requires strategies to reduce the risk of ingestion of the allergen as well as procedures to recognize and treat allergic reactions and anaphylaxis. The role of the pediatrician or pediatric primary care clinician may include diagnosing and documenting a potentially life-threatening food allergy; prescribing self-administered epinephrine to individual patients or for general use in a school (stock/unassigned epinephrine); educating children, parents, and school personnel on prevention, recognition, and management of allergic reactions to food; and working with schools in developing plans to reduce the risk of anaphylaxis and to implement emergency treatment in the event of a reaction. This clinical report highlights the role of the pediatrician and primary care clinician in managing students with food allergies.