Food Allergies and Quality of Life among School-Aged Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Recently, besides the focus on the medical diagnosis and therapeutic interventions for food allergy (FA), the psychosocial aspects of this frequent condition have also been investigated. The current systematic review aimed to explore and synthesize the scientific evidence published from January 2015 to April 2022 on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) among children and adolescents with FAs. Twenty-eight research studies were included in the review, which was conducted on three databases (PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane Library). In most studies, the scores indicate an average level of HRQoL for children and adolescents with FAs, with girls and older children being more negatively affected than boys and younger ones, respectively. Few studies compared HRQoL between children with FA and healthy children, with 3 of them showing worse HRQoL for children with FAs. Immunotherapy has been found to improve the QoL of children with FAs. Anaphylaxis history, number of FAs, additional allergies, number and severity of symptoms were identified as the main factors with a negative impact on QoL. More comparative studies on the HRQoL of children and adolescents with FAs and healthy populations or children with other chronic diseases are required in order to improve QoL of children with FAs.

Food‐induced anaphylaxis during infancy is associated with later sleeping and eating disorders

“…found that previous FIA increased the risk of alexithymia (i.e., an inability to describe feeling) in the affected child and his or her mother. Corresponding with this result, the researchers identified increased anxiety in mothers whose children were diagnosed with FIA 11 . History of FIA was also identified as an independent inducer of maternal anxiety in other studies 12 .…”

“…Corresponding with this result, the researchers identified increased anxiety in mothers whose children were diagnosed with FIA. 11 History of FIA was also identified as an independent inducer of maternal anxiety in other studies. 12 Lastly, similar to studies focusing on Hymenoptera-induced anaphylaxis, Note: p < .05 is considered statistically significant.…”

“…11 To the best of our knowledge, the present investigation is the largest published cohort study to identify a clear link between FIA diagnosis and later development of sleeping and eating disorders during the following 6.5 years on average.Several studies have focused on PDs as possible complications of FIA. One study examined children aged 3-13 years who had been diagnosed with FA and experienced FIA.…”

“…Mortality rates from FIA are extremely low in infants younger than 3 years of age, with the greatest predisposition to a fatal outcome among patients in their 20s and 30s 10 . However, a history of anaphylaxis from FA is associated with impaired quality of life 11 . To the best of our knowledge, the present investigation is the largest published cohort study to identify a clear link between FIA diagnosis and later development of sleeping and eating disorders during the following 6.5 years on average.…”

Management of Food Allergies and Food-Related Anaphylaxis

“…104,105 The vigilance needed to avoid food allergens is often associated with a significant impairment in the quality of life for both patients and caregiver. 106 Patient and clinician resources beyond the generalist and specialist clinic include professional advocacy organizations, counselors and psychologists, and registered dieticians for nutritional support, both in correcting nutritional deficiencies and in providing coaching for practical alternatives for eliminated foods.…”