Regional distribution of food allergy in Australia

Hypoallergenic infant formulas are used to help prevent and treat allergic diseases in babies and young children. A study carried out in Australia has investigated the pattern of prescription rates of hypoallergenic formula for children aged 0-2 years throughout the country as a means of gaining more information on the regional distribution of food allergy in Australia.

Results showed significant regional variation in hypoallergenic formula prescription rates throughout the country.

Data was obtained from the Australian Department of Health and Aging and the Australian Bureau of Statistics for the 52 statistical divisions in mainland Australia, plus Tasmania.

Geographical factors (decreasing latitude and increasing longitude) were associated with a higher rate of hypoallergenic formula prescriptions, such that rates were higher in southern compared to northern regions, and in eastern compared with western regions. The highest rates of prescription were found to be in southern Australia (14,406 per 100,000 population/yr) and the lowest was in the north (721), compared with a national average of 4099.

Even after controlling for a number of factors such as longitude, physician density and markers of socioeconomic status, southern latitudes and eastern longitudes were associated with higher hypoallergenic formula prescription rates.

The authors conclude that these data provide support for a possible role of sun exposure/vitamin D status (amongst other potential factors) in the pathogenesis of food allergy.

Reference: Mullins et al. 2009. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology. Doi 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2009.00962.x