[Buckwheat allergy in 90,000 school children in Yokohama]

Abstract

Hypersensitivity to buckwheat allergen frequently causes anaphylactic type reactions including urticaria, wheezing, dyspnea and/or shock. Though the susceptible pupil would be recommended to be careful for school lunch and picnic meals, the prevalence of buckwheat allergy in school children has not yet been elucidated. In this study, data on the children allergic to buckwheat were collected by sending questionnaire to 341 nurses in elementary school in Yokohama. Among the total subjects of this investigation, 92,680 children, the incidence of buckwheat allergy was determined 0.22% (140 boys and 54 girls). This percentage was not so low level besides the prevalence of such allergic diseases as bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis and food allergy was 5.6%, 4.2%, 3.1%, 1.6%, and 1.3%, respectively. Although a large majority of clinical symptoms of buckwheat allergy were urticaria (37.3%), skin itching (33.3%), and wheezing (26.5%). Four children (3.9%) experienced anaphylactic shock having a need of medical emergency treatment. The incidence of anaphylactic shock due to buckwheat was higher than those due to egg and milk allergy. Actually 7 pupil was provoked allergic reaction by buckwheat noodle served at school lunch, and 1 pupil at picnic meals. Thus, school children allergic to buckwheat is not rare, and it is important to withdraw buckwheat food from school lunch and picnic meals.