Hummus, a major trigger of sesame-induced anaphylaxis in children: Study
Canada: Hummus is the major trigger of sesame-induced anaphylaxis among children in Canada, a recent study in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology has suggested. Researchers stress the need for knowledge translation focused on prompt epinephrine use and product-labeling policies to limit sesame reactions in communities.
Sesame can lead to severe allergic reactions and is a priority allergen in Canada. Carly Sillcox, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada, and colleagues conducted the study with the primary aim to assess clinical characteristics and management of pediatric sesame-induced anaphylaxis and identify factors associated with epinephrine treatment.
For this purpose, the researchers enrolled children with sesame-induced anaphylaxis presenting to seven emergency departments in four Canadian provinces and one regional emergency medical service between 2011-2021 in the Cross-Canada Anaphylaxis Registry.
Data on symptoms, severity, triggers, and management were provided by standardized recruitment forms. Associations with epinephrine treatment pre-emergency department and multiple epinephrine dosages were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression.
Based on the study, the researchers reported the following:
- Of all food-induced anaphylactic reactions (n=3279 children), sesame accounted for 4.0% (n=130 children), of which 61.5% were males, and the average age was 5.0 years.
- Hummus containing sesame paste triggered 58.8% of reactions.
- In the pre-emergency department setting, 32.3% received epinephrine, and it was more likely to be used in males [adjusted Odds Ratio 1.27] and those with a known food allergy [adjusted Odds Ratio 1.36].
- In the emergency department, 47.7% of cases received epinephrine, with older children more likely to receive multiple epinephrine doses [adjusted Odds Ratio 1.00].
The researchers concluded, "hummus is the major trigger of sesame-induced anaphylaxis in Canada. Knowledge translation focused on prompt epinephrine use and product-labeling policies are needed to limit sesame reactions in communities."
Reference:
The study titled, "Sesame-Induced Anaphylaxis in Pediatric Patients from the Cross-Canada Anaphylaxis Registry," was published in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
