AUTHOR=Chen Jiaqi , Zhang Qiang , Ying Yongli , Zhang Xuying , Qu Chunsheng 

TITLE=Prevalence of shrimp allergy: a meta-analysis based on different diagnostic methods

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Allergy

VOLUME=Volume 6 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/allergy/articles/10.3389/falgy.2025.1635274

DOI=10.3389/falgy.2025.1635274

ISSN=2673-6101

ABSTRACT=BackgroundShrimp allergy (SA) represents a significant public health concern, yet its overall prevalence remains unclear.MethodA systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase through September 30, 2024 identified 40 studies that reported SA prevalence using self-reported symptoms, physician diagnosis, skin prick tests, specific IgE, or food challenge tests.ResultsThe pooled prevalence was estimated at 1.90% for self-reported symptomatic SA and 1.94% for self-reported physician-diagnosed SA, while testing via skin prick or specific IgE yielded a prevalence of 2.76%. Notably, symptomatic testing showed a lower prevalence of 0.43%, and food challenge tests confirmed a prevalence of 0.50%. Considerable heterogeneity was observed across studies, with prevalence varying by region and age group, and no publication bias was detected.ConclusionThese findings indicate that the prevalence of SA varies with diagnostic criteria, age, and region, underscoring the need for harmonized diagnostic standards to improve prevalence estimates and guide public health strategies.Systematic Review Registrationidentifier [CRD420251003956].