Parental Anxiety Before And After Food Challenges In Children With Suspected Peanut And Hazelnut Allergy

Background Food allergy is associated with stress, anxiety, and impairment in quality of life in both children and families. This study aimed to assess the anxiety of mothers in the case of suspected food allergy in their children and the influence of Internet usage on their levels of anxiety and food elimination. Methods Ninety‐two patients aged 0‐2 years presented at a pediatric allergy department following either a physicians' presumptive diagnosis or family's suspicion of food allergy (Group 1) and 99 healthy controls (Group 2) were evaluated. The clinical diagnosis of food allergy was confirmed or excluded by oral food challenge (OFC). The validated Turkish version of Spielberger State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was applied to the mothers of both groups on admission and to Group 1 3 months after OFC. Results The state and trait anxiety (STAI‐S and STAI‐T) scores were significantly higher in Group 1 than Group 2 (P < 0.001, z = 5.410, and P = 0.021, z = 2.304, respectively). Seventy‐nine mothers (85.9%) had been eliminating foods on admission. Thirty‐seven (40.2%) mothers had eliminated foods on their own. The performance of food allergy–related Web searches was significantly higher among mothers who eliminated foods by themselves than those who did not (P = 0.004, χ2 = 8.391, df = 1). The second STAI‐S score was significantly lower among mothers whose children's food allergy diagnosis was excluded than confirmed (effect size = 1.06 (95% CI: 0.56‐1.57), P = 0.001, z = 3.442). Conclusion It is important to make a correct food allergy diagnosis with a detailed allergy work‐up, including OFC, to avoid anxiety and not cause unnecessary food elimination.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 60%

Maternal anxiety and internet‐based food elimination in suspected food allergy

Beken

Çelik

Özdemir

et al. 2019

“…The role of having a clear diagnosis on the HRQL of those suffering with FHS has previously been reported by Zilstra et al (6) and Van der Velde et al (7). These two studies looked at a change in HRQL before and after a food challenge in the same group of participants.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

“…A number of aspects in the diagnosis and management of FHS may affect HRQL. A diagnosis based on a food challenge improves HRQL, irrespective of the outcome (6). A negative diagnosis may, however, affect HRQL more profoundly (7).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Health‐Related Quality of Life in children with perceived and diagnosed food hypersensitivity

Venter

Sommer

Moonesinghe

et al. 2015

“…In a telephone survey about parental satisfaction with peanut challenges, 89% of parents were satisfied with the experience, even when the challenge was positive and anaphylaxis occurred, as it improved their awareness about their child's allergy (42). Another study showed that parental anxiety was reduced after a positive OFC (43). Lower satisfaction levels were observed in the case of inconclusive or equivocal challenges and also when there were difficulties in feeding, distress in seeing their child unwell, and perception of inappropriate follow-up (42).…”

Section: Diagnosismentioning

confidence: 99%

Food allergy and anaphylaxis in pediatrics: update 2010‐2012

Santos

Lack

2012

This review highlights the progress made in food allergy (FA) and anaphylaxis research in pediatrics published in the journal Pediatric Allergy and Immunology since 2010. Putative risk factors for FA are as follows: a family history of allergic disease, particularly in the mother, low birth order, season of birth, and severe atopic eczema. Obstetric practices, antibiotic use, and home environment are factors deserving further research. Diagnostic decision levels and component-specific IgE are useful in the diagnosis of FA; however, oral food challenges remain the gold standard and may also be a means to reduce parental anxiety and to improve education. Oral immunotherapy studies show promise in increasing the threshold of reactivity of allergic patients and therefore improving their quality of life. In single-nut-allergic patients, introduction of other nuts allows broadening the diet and thus reducing the psychological impact of allergen avoidance. Nutritional deficiencies are not uncommon in food-allergic children and should be specifically assessed. The prescription of injectable adrenaline is still insufficient and not consistent among practitioners, requiring improved training and implementation of guidelines. Current research into the epidemiology and immunological mechanisms of FA and tolerance will enable us to devise strategies to both prevent and treat food allergies.