Current Trends in the Prevalence of Food Hypersensitivity in Children of the Kyiv Region

Abstract

The aim of the study. Due to the growing prevalence of food hypersensitivity worldwide and the number of dangerous food reactions, the aim was to determine the current prevalence of food hypersensitivity symptoms among children in the Kyiv region, Ukraine. Methods. Total of 7106 children were surveyed: Group I (4 months – 5 years) had 1787 children, Group II (6–7 years) – 2080 children, Group ІІI (13–14 years) – 1909 children, Group ІV (15–17 years) – 1330 children. Results. The prevalence of food hypersensitivity among the surveyed children is 26.5 % (95 % CI: 25.5–27.6) – this is 1888 children out of 7106. Highest prevalence of food hypersensitivity (FHS) is observed in the Group I, which is 32 % (95 % CI: 29.8–34.2) – 571/1787, Groups II – 27.2 % (95 % CI: 25.7–29.8) – 566/2080, Groups III – 27.7 % (95 % CI: 14.7–18.0) – 529/1909, in the Group IV – 16.7 % (95 % CI: 25.3-29.2) – 222/1330). FHS in children is most often manifested by skin symptoms, followed by gastrointestinal manifestations, and acute urticaria/angioneurotic edema is at the third place. Respiratory manifestations possess 5 % in the structure of FHS symptoms. An anaphylactic reaction was observed in 4 children out of 7106 respondents. Conclusions. The prevalence of food hypersensitivity among Ukrainian children is high. There is an increase in the prevalence of urticaria/angioedema in preschool children.