A hospital-based cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of parent-reported food allergy in children aged 1 to 12 years attending the Paediatrics OPD at MGM Medical College Hospital and Research Center, Vashi, Navi Mumbai

Rupali Pravin Shirke; Harshada Uchil; Siddharth Parab; Anjali Otiv

doi:10.37022/wjcmpr.v8i3.459

Authors

Rupali Pravin Shirke Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics, MGM Medical College, Vashi.
Harshada Uchil Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics, MGM Medical College, Vashi.
Siddharth Parab Assistant Professor, Department of Paediatrics, MGM Medical College, Vashi.q
Anjali Otiv Professor, Department of Paediatrics, MGM Medical College, Vashi.

Abstract

Background: Parent-reported food allergy may overestimate clinically confirmed disease and can influence unnecessary dietary restriction.

Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study included 494 children aged 1–12 years attending paediatric outpatient services. Parents completed a structured questionnaire regarding suspected food allergy, implicated foods, symptoms, healthcare-provider confirmation, and dietary avoidance. Prevalence was estimated with 95% confidence intervals, and age- and sex-related associations were examined.

Results: Parent-reported food allergy was present in 44 children (8.9%; 95% CI, 6.7–11.7%). Milk was the most frequently implicated food (45.5%), followed by pulses and fruits. Gastrointestinal symptoms predominated (68.2%). Only 11.4% had affirmative healthcare-provider confirmation, whereas 77.3% had stopped at least one suspected food. Age and sex were not significantly associated with reported allergy.

Conclusion: Parent-reported food allergy was relatively common, but formal confirmation was infrequent despite substantial dietary restriction.

Keywords:

Food allergy, Children, Parent-reported allergy, Dietary restriction, Milk

DOI

https://doi.org/10.37022/wjcmpr.v8i3.459

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