Study: Children with asthma may also have undiagnosed peanut allergies

A new study suggests that children who have asthma might not realize they also have a peanut allergy, since symptoms for both conditions — including shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing — are so similar.

Researchers looked at the records of 1,500 children from the pediatric respiratory clinic at Toledo's Mercy Children's Hospital and found that 1 in 10 tested positive for peanut sensitivity, but 53 percent of the children and their families did not know or suspect they might have an allergy.

"Many of the respiratory symptoms of peanut allergy can mirror those of an asthma attack, and vice versa," lead author Robert Cohn said. "This study demonstrates children with asthma might benefit from a test for peanut sensitivity, especially when control of wheezing and coughing is difficult to achieve." He also said that further research needs to be done.

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