Early life triggers for food allergy, that in turn impacts dietary habits in childhood

Abstract

Introduction and objectives: In order to investigate food allergy’s prevalence, risk factors and eating behavior of children with relevant anamnesis, a study was performed in Cypriot primary schools.Patients: A specially composed questionnaire for self-reported adverse reactions to food, cre-ated in the context of the EuroPrevall study, was distributed in 13 representative primary schools across the country. Participants were sub-grouped into three groups; healthy (H), those with unconfirmed food hypersensitivity reactions (FA−) and children with a confirmed diagnosis by a physician IgE-mediated food allergy (FA+). Food habits, family health history and lifestyle factors were assessed and groups’ outcomes were compared with each other.Results: For the study, 202 questionnaires were completed and returned; 31 children (19 FA-and 12 FA+) reported an adverse food reaction. Significant risk factors for developing FA+ were being the first born or having siblings with asthma, attended a day nursery, but also maternal alcohol drinking during pregnancy, parental smoking and parental occupation in food processing or use of latex gloves. The presence of children in the kitchen during cooking showed a protective role. Dietary habits of FA+ children were significantly diminished in terms of variety and frequency of consumption in comparison to the rest, in which had a greater overlap. Conclusion: Further research is required for the interesting risk or protective factors revealing from the current investigation. The negative effect of food allergy in the dietary habits of food allergic children documented in the literature, is strongly supported herein.

Food Protein-Induced Allergic Proctocolitis: The Effect of Maternal Diet During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding in a Mediterranean Population

“…Children who are pre- and postnatally exposed to tobacco smoke have a significantly higher risk of FA ( 65 ), and in our study maternal smoking was associated with FPIAP. Paternal smoking was equivalent in the two groups and had less effect, probably because fathers spend less time in close contact with the infants ( 66 ).…”

Dietary Factors May Delay Tolerance Acquisition in Food Protein-Induced Allergic Proctocolitis

“…Martin and colleagues showed that infants fed both breastmilk and formula at any point during the first 4 months were less likely to develop FPIAP than infants fed exclusively formula or exclusively breastmilk [ 4 ]. Even the presence of the infants in the kitchen during cooking appeared to exert a protective role [ 44 ].…”

Alliance with the School Personnel Is Crucial for the Management of Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis in School Children

“…This investigation was conducted in parallel with a survey on food-hypersensitivity in the pupils attending the schools under question. The age range of the schoolchildren in the study schools was 5.5-12 years (mean 8.7 ± 1.7 years) [3]. The school principal of each school, or a schoolteacher designated by the school principal as the most appropriate person to provide the required information on the school preparedness for FA was assigned to participate in the study.…”

“…Food allergy (FA) is a common pediatric emergency and constitutes a significant concern for the personnel of preschool facilities and schools. Its prevalence varies in different parts of the world, and in Europe it affects about 6% of primary school children [1][2][3]. Even when children with FA are trained to avoid the offending foods, accidental FA reactions may occur, about 18% of these at school [4][5][6].…”

“…School personnel are important stakeholders, and they can and should be prepared to manage health emergencies in children [14]. We conducted the present study as part of the first epidemiological study on FA in Cypriot primary school children [2,3], with the purpose of evaluating the allergy management competences in primary schools in Cyprus, and to explore the knowledge and beliefs of schoolteachers about FA.…”