[The individual reception project (IRP) for anaphylactic emergencies. The situation in France and French overseas territories in 2002]. / Le projet d'accueil individualisé (PAI) pour urgence allergique. Situation en France métropolitaine et dans les Dom-Tom en 2002.

INTRODUCTION: The management in schools of children with life-threatening or chronic diseases has led to the development of Individual Reception Projects (IRP) since 1993, notified in the state education ministry's circular letter. The aim of this study was to assess the status of such IRPs in France and the French Overseas Territories in the management of food allergy risks. METHOD: The regional departments of educational promotion were contacted and the survey was run between May and June, 2002. The items of the questionnaire were: the number of IRPs for anaphylactic emergencies, details on the allergies themselves, an overview of the eventual existence of dialogue structures among school physicians, heads of schools, allergists, treatment prescribers and emergency protocols. RESULTS: The total survey revealed 7482 IRP for anaphylactic reactions to food (14% of the total IRPs). The frequency of IRPs varied greatly depending on the regions. The Paris area represented 36.3% of the total. The Lorraine area: 5.6%, the Haute-Garonne: 5%, and the Bouches-du-Rhône: 3.3%. The IRPs represented 0.002 (Ardèche) to 0.33% (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence) of the school attending population. The mean level was of 0.065%; 71.6% of the IRPs concerned the 1st grade (1 IRP for 1091 children). In decreasing frequency, the allergens concerned were: peanuts, eggs, dried nuts, fish, dried peas and milk. Dialogue structures were established in 38 regions. DISCUSSION: The IRPs have increased 4-fold since the circular letter in 1999. The enhanced prevalence of numerous (new) allergies to dried nuts and leguminous plants has been emphasized, and peanut allergies have been confirmed. The complexity of managing the IRPs and need for information and training of state education and municipal staff requires the further development of dialogue structures, which are still clearly insufficient.