Prevalence Of Childhood Food Allergies
1. Osmonova Gulnaz Zhenishbaevna
2. Ruchitkumar Shrivas
3. Sagupata Naz
(1. Teacher, International Medical Faculty, Osh State University, Osh, Kyrgyz Republic.
2. Student, International Medical Faculty, Osh State University, Osh, Kyrgyz Republic.
3. Student, International Medical Faculty, Osh State University, Osh, Kyrgyz Republic.)
Abstract
Background: Food allergy is the third most commonly diagnosed allergic disorder in children, particularly during infancy and preschool years. Its prevalence has been rising rapidly in recent years, making it a significant public health concern. This study aims to conduct a systematic review of the impact of childhood food allergies on quality of life. Methods: A comprehensive search of databases from the last five years was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines, resulting in the selection of 21 relevant articles. Results: The findings indicate that food allergies significantly reduce children’s quality of life, with age, the number of allergens, and allergy severity being key determinants. Affected children experience higher levels of anxiety, depression, and reduced psychosocial functioning. Caregivers also face substantial burdens, including constant concerns over accidental exposure, limitations in social activities, financial strain, and increased work absences. In school settings, these children are more prone to teasing or bullying, highlighting the need for increased education and social awareness. Conclusions: Food allergies significantly impact the quality of life for both patients and their families, especially mothers, with worsening effects as children age, including heightened risks of bullying and social limitations, highlighting the need for education, psychological support, and resource allocation.
Keywords: food allergy; quality of life; pediatric age; family; impact
1. Introduction
The prevalence of childhood food allergies has increased rapidly on a global scale in recent years [1,2]. It is estimated to affect between 6% and 8% of children up to the age of four, with those under two years being the most impacted [3,4]. Similarly, one study [5] indicates a global incidence of 5% to 8%, while 30% of the Spanish pediatric population is affected. According to the Spanish National Institute of Statistics (INE) [6], in 2017, 7.51% of children aged 0 to 9 years were diagnosed with a chronic allergy in the previous 12 months, excluding asthma.
Moreover, research [4] highlights that food allergy is the third most commonly diagnosed allergic disorder in children up to the age of 14, with most diagnoses occurring during infancy or preschool years. Food allergies to a single allergen are more common, while cases involving three or more allergens are less frequent [3]. However, it is important to recognize that food allergies affect a diverse range of individuals across different ages, ethnicities, socioeconomic statuses, and cultures, making it a global health concern with growing significance [7].
A food allergy is defined as a specific immune reaction with negative health consequences caused by exposure to allergenic food [8]. The most common allergens include eggs, cow’s milk, nuts, wheat, and seafood [5,9]. Symptoms are typically cutaneous or respiratory (rhinitis or bronchospasm) or gastrointestinal [3,4]. However, symptoms can vary greatly and are not universal, with anaphylaxis being the most severe and life-threatening response [5].
Furthermore, the growing number of children with food allergies contributes to an increase in psychological consequences, with some children even developing symptoms of post-traumatic stress in cases with a history of anaphylaxis [19]. As [7] points out, managing food allergies poses a challenge due to the need for careful planning, vigilance, and emotional regulation. These patients also require more medical attention and resources, resulting in additional financial costs.
For these reasons, diagnosis and medical treatment alone are insufficient; it is essential to address the mental health of both the patient and their caregivers, particularly mothers, who often experience higher levels of stress and anxiety [19]. Therefore, it is crucial to continue researching and deepening our understanding of the impact of food allergies to inform effective interventions for managing these circumstances [20].
However, while many diagnoses occur in early childhood, the articles reviewed suggest that the impact on quality of life in this specific population has not been extensively studied. This study will focus on this age group. Some studies compare the impact of food allergies on the quality of life between adolescents and children as complementary data.
Finally, based on the above, this study aims to conduct a systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines on the impact of childhood food allergies on quality of life. And for this, the following research question is posed: How does food allergy affect the quality of life in the child population?
2. Materials and Methods
This study focuses on the impact of childhood food allergies on the quality of life of affected families. A comprehensive analysis of the existing scientific literature from 2019 to 2024 was conducted, adhering to the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, as described by [21]. The specific steps undertaken are outlined below.
(a) Initial Search
A preliminary investigation was conducted across various databases to identify aspects related to childhood food allergies and their effects on both patients and their families. This initial exploration aimed to refine the objectives of our study and assess the availability and volume of the relevant literature.
(b) Systematic Search
Once the objective was defined, a more exhaustive search was performed using the keywords “Food Allergy”, “Quality of Life”, and “Children”. This search was conducted in the following databases: Web of Science, PsycInfo, ProQuest, PubPsych, and Scopus. The search terms employed were (Food Allergy) AND (Quality of Life) AND (Children) (in all databases, except for Web of Science, where the search was conducted as TS=(food allergy) AND TS=(quality of life) AND TS=(children)).
Results
Based on the studies reviewed, the findings have been organized according to the quality of life indicators identified by Livneh [22]. They are grouped into three sections corresponding to the dimensions affected by childhood food allergy: the intrapersonal (the child), the interpersonal (caregivers and their interaction with the child), and the extrapersonal (academic environment). For more information, Appendix A can be consulted.
Of the studies included in this review, fifteen employed experimental designs, primarily characterized by a cross-sectional approach and the use of self-report measures as the primary assessment tool. The remaining studies are systematic reviews. The Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire (FAQLQ) [23] was the most commonly used instrument, followed by the Food Allergy Independent Measure (FAIM) [24] and researcher-developed surveys focused on sociodemographic and clinical variables. The most frequently assessed variables related to quality of life included psychological health (e.g., emotional impact), social well-being (e.g., limitations or experiences of bullying), parental burden, perceived severity or risk of exposure, parental self-efficacy, coping strategies, school performance, allergy severity, expectations, clinical history, type of food allergen, and sociodemographic factors (e.g., age, gender, family income, parental education level) [25,26,27,28].
The primary construct assessed was perceived health-related quality of life, although this is often referred to as simply “quality of life” within the studies. While some studies include children, they do not exclusively focus on this age group, instead often comparing findings with adolescent populations. In studies involving children, the questionnaires are typically completed by parents.
Conclusions
In conclusion, food allergies negatively impact the quality of life of both the patient and their family, particularly mothers, who seem to be the most affected. The deterioration in the child’s quality of life increases with age.
Moreover, food allergies may elevate the risk of bullying or threats, particularly in school environments. Among the limitations imposed by food allergies, social constraints are most significant, resulting in dietary restrictions, precautions at social events such as birthdays, challenges when visiting restaurants due to fears of accidental exposure or cross-contamination, and the need for extensive travel planning. These factors underscore the importance of educating and raising public awareness, designing psychological intervention programs, and allocating resources to improve the quality of life for affected individuals.
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