Landmark 'Pediatric Allergies in America' Survey Uncovered Negative Impact of Allergy Symptoms o...( - Children with Allergies Less Prod...),Health

- Children with Allergies Less Productive Than Peers, Parents Reported -

PHILADELPHIA, March 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Data from the largest survey of its kind suggested there's a silent epidemic among our nation's children. U.S. children are suffering with allergies and not getting the treatment they need, according to the Pediatric Allergies in America survey, which is the largest and most comprehensive national survey of parents of children under the age of 18 who suffer from allergic rhinitis. The survey results were presented today at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 2008 Annual Meeting in Philadelphia. More than 500 parents who had a child with allergies were interviewed about severity and effects of allergies on their child's life, and their responses were compared to more than 500 parents of children without allergies.

"We have known anecdotally that children are affected by allergy symptoms similarly to adults, but Pediatric Allergies in America offers the first data quantifying the scope of how allergies interrupt a child's productivity, sleep cycle, and daily functioning," said Jay M. Portnoy, MD, President of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

Quality of Life Findings

More than three quarters of parents (76 percent) reported Spring to be the worst time of year for their children's nasal allergies. Allergy symptoms cause children to feel tired, miserable and irritable. Many children with allergies reported experiencing symptoms every day this time of year. Key findings included:

-- Allergy symptoms are interfering with children's sleep. Forty percent

of parents indicated that their child's allergies interfere a lot or

somewhat with their sleep. Only eight percent of parents of children

without allergies indicated their child's health interferes with their

sleep.

-- Allergy symptoms are limiting children's activities. Twice as many<
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