The link between atopic disease and anemia was reproduced in multiple cohorts in both a cross-sectional survey and laboratory assessment involving more than 237,000 children and adolescents.

Investigators used data from 17 years of the US National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and 14 years of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

In NHIS, prevalence was:

• 9.5% for eczema.

• 12.8% for asthma.

• 17.1% for hay fever.

• 4.2% for food allergy.

• 1.1% for anemia.

In multivariable analysis of the 17 NHIS surveys, anemia was associated with:

• Eczema in 14.

• Asthma in 11.

• Hay fever in 12.

• Food allergy in 12.

Additionally, children with any eczema, asthma, hay fever, or food allergy were at higher risk of anemia.

In NHANES:

• Current history of asthma and eczema were associated with higher odds of anemia, especially microcytic anemia.

• History of hay fever was not linked with anemia.

Citation: Drury K, Schaeffer M, Silverberg J. Association between atopic disease and anemia in US children. [Published online ahead of print November 30, 2015]. JAMA Pediatr. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2015.3065.