What are the causes of allergies in children?
The number of American children with food allergies increased 18 percent between 1997 and 2007. As of 2010, an estimated 6 to 8 percent of children have food allergies. The precise cause of food allergies in children is unknown. However, several causes have been proposed.Immature Gastrointestinal TractFor a food allergy to develop, the allergen (a particle to which a person becomes allergic) must reach the bloodstream, causing the immune system to over-react. Because infants have more permeable GI tracts and less efficient digestion than adults, in-tact allergens are more likely to reach the bloodstream and cause allergy.Hygiene HypothesisChildren who are raised on farms, in third-world countries, who live with older siblings or attend daycare are less likely to develop allergies. Scientists believe the less-developed immune systems of children raised in very clean environments may respond inappropriately to benign substances, leading to allergy.Maternal InfluenceHigh consumption rates
