Aug 2nd, 2022
3 mins
The number of cases of children hospitalised with severe allergic reactions in England has increased by 72 per cent over the last six years, according to new NHS Digital data.
The figures obtained by The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation record 1,746 cases of hospital admissions with anaphylactic shock among those aged 18 and under in 2018-19, compared to 1,015 in 2013-14.
Overall, including adults, there has been a 34% rise in admissions over the same period.
Tanya Ednan-Laperouse, of the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, said: “These terrifying figures show we are facing an allergy emergency. The number of children with allergies and suffering severe allergic reactions is rising year-on-year at a deeply alarming rate.
“Scientists don’t yet understand why the numbers of children with allergies are on the rise which is why it is vital that we invest in large scale research projects into both the causes and potential cures.”
Tanya and her husband Nadim set up NARF following the death of their 15-year-old daughter Natasha, who died after suffering a severe allergic reaction after eating a Pret a Manger baguette containing hidden sesame seeds in July 2016. Since her death, the government has introduced Natasha’s Law forcing food-to-go shops to provide full ingredient labelling. The Foundation’s stated aim is to fund and support research into curing allergies.
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