Assuring the Safety of Severely Food Allergic Children in School

• Published in: The Journal of school health Vol. 76; no. 9; pp. 479 - 481
• Main Authors: Hay, Genevieve H., Harper III, Thomas B., Moore, Taylor G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Blackwell Publishing Inc 01.11.2006; American School Health Association; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Adolescent; Allergic reaction; Allergies; Allergy; Analysis; Anaphylaxis; Anaphylaxis - drug therapy; Anaphylaxis - etiology; Anaphylaxis - prevention & control; Child; Diagnosis; Epinephrine - administration & dosage; Epinephrine - supply & distribution; First Aid; Food allergies; Food Hypersensitivity - complications; Guidelines as Topic; Health aspects; Hospitalization; Humans; Medical Services; Nursing; Parents; Parents & parenting; Patient Education; Peanuts; Physicians; Reaction Time; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Safety Management - standards; School Buildings; School employees; School Health Services - standards; School Nurses; School Personnel; Student Participation; Students; United States; United States
• ISSN: 0022-4391; 1746-1561
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.2006.00145.x

The most critical factor linked to food anaphylaxis deaths has been failure to administer epinephrine promptly.1,2,6,7 Deaths have occurred because of delays in initiating therapy, particularly in a school or restaurant environment where lack of knowledge and concerns for liability have delayed initiation of therapy until well into a reaction.8 In a 1992 study of fatal and nonfatal food reactions in children, 5 fatalities occurred in public places. The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on School Health recommends that schools be equipped to treat anaphylaxis in students.1,2,6 Public schools must comply with the physician's emergency treatment plan and with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which mandates accommodations for students with allergies.1 ADA accommodations include participation of students with allergies in all activities, developing and efficiently implementing a food allergy plan, and making sure medications are always accessible.