The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently reported that four out of every 100 children have a food allergy. A national study of 9,500 children revealed that food allergies among children in the United States is becoming more common over time.

The key findings of the report, entitled "Food Allergy Among U.S. Children: Trends in Prevalence and Hospitalizations," are as follows:

• In 2007, approximately 3 million children under 18 (3.9%) were reported to have a food or digestive allergy
• From 1997 to 2007, the prevalence of reported food allergies among children under 18 increased 18%
• Children with food allergies are two to four times more likely to have other related conditions such as asthma and other allergies, compared with children without food allergies
• From 2004 to 2006, there were approximately 9,500 hospital discharges per year with a diagnosis related to food allergies among children under age 18 years

To view the complete report, go to www.cdc.gov/nchs