RATIONALE Childhood food allergies The purpose for my presentation is to inform elementary school staff of the signs and dangers with child food allergies. My presentation will provide education around the signs and symptoms of an allergic food reaction that could occur in the school.
At the end of my presentation, the audience should be able to identify signs of an allergic reaction to food in order to have treatment begin in a timely/ effective manner for the child.
Child care providers should be aware of the physical signs and symptoms of allergic reactions to food including anaphylaxis which is a life threatening condition.
My intended audience is all staff, at all levels, working in the elementary school setting
Knowledge will promote increased safety of elementary school children who suffer from food allergies.
This is significant as nearly 8% of children have food allergies, with younger children affected most. Within this group, more than 15% of school aged children with food allergies have had a reaction while in school (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010)
Approximately 20-25% of epinephrine administrations in schools involve individuals whose allergy was unknown at the time of the reaction. (Nowak-Wegrzyn A, Conover-Walker MK, 2001) Presentation Failure to promptly treat food anaphylaxis with epinephrine within minutes is a risk factor for fatalities,
This potentially deadly disease affects 1 in every 13 children (under 18 years of age) in the U.S.
That’s roughly two in every classroom!
Reports from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control state that food allergy is the leading cause of anaphylaxis outside the hospital setting. We can better protect children by learning the types of common food allergies and the associated symptoms of allergic reactions Although nearly any food is capable of causing an allergic reaction, only eight foods