A SURVEY IN 1963, by the present authors, of eighth graders in the Denver Public School System indicated a prevalence of childhood allergies of greater than 20%.1,2 Studies in the past decade from various parts of the United States have suggested this high prevalence rate, rather than the frequently quoted 10% figure from older reports.3-7
In order to acquire current data on the course and fate of childhood allergies in adolescence, the same Denver eighth grade students questioned in 1963, now 12th graders, were resurveyed. The results, described in this communication, show an increased prevalence of allergies from 21% to 28%, due primarily to the acquisition of seasonal hay fever. This information is believed to be of importance, both in the training of physicians who care for pediatric and adolescent patients, and in the planning of comprehensive community health care programs which involve these age groups.
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