« Author Upsets the Child Food Allergy Community | Main | Does the Food Allergy Labeling Law Go Too Far? »

February 28, 2007

Child Food Allergy Preliminary School Study Results

There was a preliminary study presented by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) addressing the challenges in administering epinepherine to a food allergic child suffering an anaphylactic reaction. Although the study did show an increase in students with food allergies who carry epinephrine, some of the findings are concerning.

Apparently, despite some laws passed, many school principals in MI are unaware of a law allowing children with food allergies to carry EpiPens in school. In fact, more than 1/3 of principals surveyed did not know about it. To make things worse, most schools keep the epinepherine injectors in the front office. So what happens if a food allergic child has an anaphylactic reaction in the classroom or lunchroom? "RUN, FOREST, RUN!"

All kidding aside, c'mon parents! Step up and investigate your own school situation. Don't be statisfied with "front office" solutions. You hope your child will eat his safe lunch and not get exposed to peanuts, milk, or eggs (pick your poison) at the lunch table but don't take the risk. Your schools lunch staff needs to be trained and know where to find the epeinepherine in case of a food allergy reaction.

We parents need to go out to schools to do the training. If you are a parent of a food allergic child, you know very well that the majority of food allergy fatalities occur outside the home. Most of these could have been avoided by proper use epinephrine.

Maybe its time to visit your school again. Let's call it a mid year check up. ;-)

Posted by David at February 28, 2007 3:43 PM