Research finds increase in allergic reactions among children in Finland, decrease in Sweden

A new registry study from Karolinska Institutet and Tampere University shows that hospital admissions due to allergic reactions in children have increased in Finland while they have decreased in Sweden. The study, published in the journal Allergy, also shows that the incidence of anaphylaxis is higher in Finland than in Sweden.

The study, which analyzes data from national registers between 2012 and 2020, shows that the incidence of hospital admissions increased by 29% in Finland, while Sweden saw a decrease of 43%. During the study period, the number of health care visits for anaphylaxis in Finland also increased by 120%, compared to an increase of 24% in Sweden. The largest increase was seen among the youngest children, in the age group 0–4 years.

The study is based on data from national registers of health care visits for anaphylaxis and allergic reactions in Sweden and Finland, and includes all children aged 0–19 years.

Various strategies have been proposed to reduce the risk of allergies in children. However, the advice given to parents has varied over time and between countries. In Finland, a targeted national allergy program, The Finnish Allergy Program, was implemented from 2008 to 2018 to reduce the frequency of allergies and improve the care of children with allergies.

“Our results show significant differences in the prevalence of allergic reactions between Sweden and Finland. It is important to understand the reasons for these differences in order to improve the care and prevention of allergies in children. This is also important considering the ongoing work on developing a Swedish allergy program,” says Inger Kull, professor at the Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset at Karolinska Institutet and one of the study’s senior authors.

As the study emphasizes the need for further research, the researchers are now planning a follow-up study to investigate time trends and causes of severe allergic reactions and anaphylaxis in Sweden and Finland during the period 2020–2024. They also plan to study the treatment and prescription of adrenaline pens for those who have been treated for anaphylaxis.