Occurrence of parent‐reported food hypersensitivities and food allergies among children aged 1–4 yr

Abstract

Food allergies (FAs) and hypersensitivities (FHSs) have rarely been studied in large unselected child populations. This population-based cross-sectional survey estimated the occurrence of FHS as perceived by parents and that of FA diagnosed by a physician among children aged 1-4 yr in south-eastern Finland. Before the scheduled annual follow-up visit to the local child health clinic, the parents of children who were born between 1 April, 2001 and 31 March, 2005, and living in the Province of South Karelia (data from Finnish Population Register) were mailed a questionnaire containing items on the child's background, physician-diagnosed FAs and FHSs perceived by the parents. The questionnaires were returned during the visit. Three thousand three hundred and eight (69%) out of the 4779 questionnaires were returned. The lifetime prevalence of physician-diagnosed FAs was 9%. In an additional 21%, FHSs were perceived by the parents only. In a further 19% at least one food item had been eliminated from the diet without any perception of symptoms, this proportion having a downward trend by age. Physician-diagnosed FAs were more common in boys than in girls. Cow's milk was the most commonly reported cause of food-associated symptoms (13% of all children). One-third of the children aged 1-4 yr suffered from food-associated symptoms, and in an additional fifth at least one food item had been eliminated from their diet, implying that every other child had possibly been subjected to some form of elimination diet.

Potential risk factors of food allergy in children: EuroPrevall project results in Vilnius, Lithuania

“…More prevalent symptoms of bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis in 6 -7 years boys and in 13 -14 years girls were also determined in Kaunas, Lithuania [21,22], more prevalent home allergies among boys than girls were found out in Vilnius [23]. More prevalent food allergy among boys than girls was also found in Finland [24].…”

Special diets are common among preschool children aged one to five years in south‐east Sweden according to a population‐based cross‐sectional survey

“…However, considering the previously shown large discrepancies between parent-reported and diagnosed food allergies (2,(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)16,17), and the fact that many children on special medical diets lack medical certificates, some children may have been subjected to unnecessarily restricted diets. A potential way to avoid this may be the requirement for mandatory medical certificates for special diets for medical reasons, preferably with an appropriate time limit, for example for cows' milk and hens' egg allergies.…”

“…There are large discrepancies between parent-reported and physician-diagnosed food hypersensitivity, which might lead to unnecessary diet restrictions with potential negative effects on nutrition during an important period of growth and development (2,(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(16)(17)(18)(19). Unnecessary special diets can also result in additional costs and efforts for families and the preschools and schools their children attend (20).…”

Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis in Infants and Preschool-Age Children

“…A Finnish study reports a combined lifetime prevalence of FA perceived by parents only and FA diagnosed by a physician of 30% among 1-to 4-year-old children. 18 A UK study reported a cumulative incidence of 26% for parental-perceived FA by 1 year of age and 34% for 3-year-old children, whereas the incidences of FA confirmed by controlled food challenges and "a clear convincing clinical history" were 3% and 5%, respectively. 19 Added to the impact of pediatric FA on public health, the number of children with FA seems to be increasing.…”