Peanut allergy diagnoses 'higher in boys'

Boys are more likely to be diagnosed with a peanut allergy than girls, research has found.

The study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology by Edinburgh University researchers analysed 2005 data from over 400 English GP practices.

Children from higher income homes also appeared more likely to be diagnosed.

However, a leading allergy expert said that "inequality of access" to health care could be the reason.

The researchers looked at data on peanut allergies actually diagnosed by a doctor, rather than the actual incidence amongst a population.

The records of a total of nearly three million patients were examined.

Babies and younger boys were up to 30% more likely to be diagnosed with a peanut allergy than girls of the same age, a figure that confirms previous research into peanut allergies.