Autor(es): Da Silva Cardoso, Juliana ; Ashworth, Joanna ; Pinto, Diana ; Teixeira, Fernanda ; Araújo, Ana Rita
Data: 2023
Identificador Persistente: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.16/2941
Origem: Repositório Científico da Unidade Local de Saúde de Santo António (ULSSA)
Assunto(s): children; food allergy; food habits; parents' perception; preschool; self-reported prevalence
Background: Food allergy is a potentially fatal condition (in the case of anaphylaxis, for example) and is characterized by an increasing prevalence. The main purpose of this study is to identify preschool children with parent-reported food allergies and characterize this population and type of allergy. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, based on questionnaires to parents/legal guardians. All children who attend daycare or preschool in an area of the city of Porto, Portugal, were included. Results: A total of 740 questionnaires were distributed to nine schools, and responses were obtained from 363 (49.1%). Self-reported food reaction and/or allergy was related in 11.2% of children. The median age of the first reaction was 12 months and the most registered foods were milk, dry seed, and peanut. Cutaneous (48.7%) and gastrointestinal (35.9%) symptoms were the main manifestations. History of parents' and siblings' food allergies had statistically significant associations with food reactions and/or allergies of the child, with OR 3.05 (p=0.04, 95% CI 1.01-8.81) and OR 8.69 (p<0.01, 95% CI 2.11-35.79), respectively. Besides that, children's atopic dermatitis also had a statistically significant association with self-reported food reactions and/or allergies, with OR 2.30 (p<0.05, 95% CI 1.01-5.21). Conclusion: Food reactions and/or allergies were reported in 11.2% of children. The history of parents' and siblings' food allergies and children's atopic dermatitis had statistically significant associations with food reactions and/or allergies, which shows that it may be an important factor to consider.
