Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2011 Sep;31(3):177-183.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Food Allergy in Preschool Children in Seoul

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of food allergy (FA) and determine its risk factors in the preschool urban children in Seoul, Korea.
METHODS
A modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire was used to survey 933 pre-school children from nine urban areas of Seoul in Korea. The risk factor analysis was done by logistic regression analysis.
RESULTS
In preschool children, the lifetime and recent 12-month prevalence of FA symptoms were 21.0% and 10.6%, respectively. The lifetime prevalence of FA diagnosis was 6.1%, the prevalence of current FA (12-month symptoms and diagnosis) was 3.3%, and the recent 12-month prevalence of FA treatment was 3.6%. Blood eosinophils [0] in FA group and Non-FA group were 5.00+/-3.93% and 3.93+/-2.91%, respectively (P=0.002). The median total Immunoglobulin E (IgE) of FA group was 102 (interquatile [IQ] range 44.8-257) IU/mL, the median total IgE of Non-FA group was 70.9 (IQ range 70.9-161) IU/mL (P=0.001). Parental FA (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22-3.85), past history of AD diagnosis (aOR, 3.69; 95% CI, 2.33-5.85), eczema on doctor's physical examination (aOR, 3.74; 95% CI, 2.16-6.47), use of antibiotics during infancy more than 3 days (aOR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.08-2.73) were the independent risk factors for FA symptoms within 12 months.
CONCLUSION
In preschool urban children in Seoul, the lifetime prevalence of FA diagnosis was 6.1%, the recent 12 month prevalence of FA treatment was 3.6%. The prevalences of AD and doctor examined AD in FA group were significantly higher compared to Non-FA group. Family history, and the use of antibiotics during infancy could be the independent risk factors for the development of FA.

MeSH Terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Asthma
Child
Child, Preschool
Eczema
Eosinophils
Food Hypersensitivity
Humans
Hypersensitivity
Immunoglobulin E
Immunoglobulins
Korea
Logistic Models
Odds Ratio
Parents
Physical Examination
Prevalence
Risk Factors
Surveys and Questionnaires
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Immunoglobulin E
Immunoglobulins