Experiences of caregivers of children with food allergy during the COVID‐19 pandemic

To the Editor,<br />Food allergy (FA) is an immune response to exposure to a given food allergen (e.g., egg, peanuts, and shellfish). In the United States,&nbsp; approximately 4%&ndash;8% of children are diagnosed with pediatric FA and the prevalence continues to increase. In the Midwest United States, where this study was conducted, FA diagnoses have dramatically increased (e.g., 2009&ndash;2016; Indiana 133%, Kansas 79%, Michigan 179%, Ohio 169%, Oklahoma 215%) and children comprise greater percentages of FA insurance claims compared with older age groups (e.g., 2009&ndash;2016; Indiana 56%, Kansas 55%, Michigan 60%, Ohio 65%, Oklahoma 50%). Moreover, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on families with pediatric FA are not well understood. Repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic for the general population include increasing rates of poverty and food insecurity, creating additional barriers and interruptions to healthcare, and amplifying complications of chronic disease. Because of the multitude of financial and healthcare access barriers during the COVID-19 pandemic, access to food may be compromised for families with FA and mealtime emphasis may shift from carefully assessing for food allergens to simply providing nutrition, thus increasing the risk for FA reactions.