The epidemiology of IgE-mediated food allergy and anaphylaxis.

The rise in food allergy prevalence in developed countries is evident from anecdotal reports but has been difficult to document and until recently good quality prevalence data were lacking. Although most emerging risk factors seem related to the "modern lifestyle" the reasons for the rise in food allergy prevalence remain poorly understood. The incidence of food allergy-related anaphylaxis is rising particularly in children younger than 5 years of age. Emerging studies are better designed to assess the true prevalence of IgE-mediated food allergy using formal population sampling frames, standardized and objective outcome data including use of the gold standard oral food challenge, and the capacity to adjust for potential selection bias.