Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2011 Dec;31(4):254-259.

Survey of Food Allergy in Elementary School Students in Dongjak-gu Using Questionnaire

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Food allergy (FA) changes the quality of life in a profoundly negative way, but there is a little available information regarding management of FA in schoolchildren.
METHODS
We performed a questionnaire survey to investigate current situation of FA management in elementary school children. A total of 1,137 first-grade students in 6 elementary schools located in Dongjak-gu were enrolled in the survey. A total of 1,020 (89.7%) questionnaires regarding demographic information, previous diagnosis of allergic diseases, family history, FA symptoms, offending causes of FA, and dietary restriction were collected. The skin prick test was performed on those who were diagnosed with an allergic disease in the survey.
RESULTS
A total of 121 (12.0%) children had been restricting diet, and 245 foods were reported to be restricted by them. The three leading causes were peanut/nuts (27/245), wheat (27/245), and hen's egg (22/245). Only 34 (27%) out of 121 students who were restricting diet had been diagnosed with FA by doctors. After the skin prick test, 183 (55.0%) out of 333 children showed a positive reaction. Anaphylaxis was reported in 3 patients, and the offending foods were hen's egg, milk, and buckwheat. Nine students abiding by the doctor's food restriction recommendation showed negative results to the skin prick test.
CONCLUSION
A systematic and comprehensive approach should be performed to confirm a diagnosis of FA and to avoid unnecessary dietary restrictions.

MeSH Terms

Anaphylaxis
Child
Diet
Fagopyrum
Food Hypersensitivity
Humans
Milk
Ovum
Quality of Life
Skin
Skin Tests
Triticum
Surveys and Questionnaires