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Q I am a 35-year-old woman who has a 7-year-old son who is very active and has a big appetite. But I just found out that he is allergic to peanuts. I've never heard of this problem in kids. How serious is it, and what can I do to help him?

A.T., New Orleans

A The number of children with peanut and other allergies may be much larger than you think. And, doctors say, peanut allergies can be fatal.

An estimated 1.5 million Americans are allergic to peanuts and about 100 persons die annually after ingesting them. For some people, all it takes is a tiny portion of a peanut to trigger a deadly reaction.

The peanut allergy in children, considered to be one of the most severe food reactions, presents a significant problem because so many children are attracted to peanuts and peanut butter, which has become one of the most common food items in a child's diet

The good news is that studies have shown that children with mild peanut allergies are likely to outgrow the condition. Until recently, medical experts thought peanut allergies were evident for a lifetime, but studies indicate that as many as 20 percent of small children who are allergic to peanuts become tolerant to peanuts by the time they enter school.

After ingestion of peanuts and peanut products, doctors say serious allergic reactions can be avoided if the person receives a prompt shot of epinephrine. But prevention is the primary focus of researchers, who are working to create a peanut allergy vaccine.