Delivery mode and the incidence of atopic sensitization and food allergy in a Finnish child population

Atopic diseases of the parents predict the offspring’s atopic sensitization and food allergy

Pediatric Allergy and Immunology ◽

10.1111/pai.13462 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kaisa Pyrhönen ◽

Petri Kulmala

Keyword(s):

Food Allergy ◽

Atopic Diseases ◽

Atopic Sensitization

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Primary Prevention of Food Allergy—Environmental Protection beyond Diet

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13062025 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 2025

Author(s):

Hanna Sikorska-Szaflik ◽

Barbara Sozańska

Keyword(s):

Food Allergy ◽

Primary Prevention ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Food Allergies ◽

Allergy Prevention ◽

Delivery Mode ◽

Effective Prevention ◽

Inhalant Allergens

A food allergy is a potentially life-threatening disease with a genetic and environmental background. As its prevalence has increased significantly in recent years, the need for its effective prevention has been emphasized. The role of diet modifications and nutrients in food allergy reduction has been extensively studied. Much less is known about the role of other environmental factors, which can influence the incidence of this disease. Changes in neonates gut microbiome by delivery mode, animal contact, inhalant allergens, oral and then cutaneous allergen exposure, air pollution, smoking, infections and vaccinations can be the potential modifiers of food allergy development. There is some data about their role as the risk or preventive factors, but yet the results are not entirely consistent. In this paper we present the current knowledge about their possible role in primary prevention of food allergies. We discuss the mechanisms of action, difficulties in designing accurate studies about food allergy and the potential biases in interpreting the connection between environmental factors and food allergy prevention. A better understanding of the role of environmental factors in food allergies development may help in implementing practical solutions for food allergy primary prevention in the future.

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Prevalence of Food Allergy among Schoolchildren in Lebanon

International Archives of Allergy and Immunology ◽

10.1159/000521147 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Jana Sakakini ◽

Carla Irani ◽

Rana Bikai ◽

Gretta Sahyoun ◽

Souheil Hallit ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Allergy ◽

Mode Of Delivery ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Cow’S Milk ◽

Delivery Mode ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Skin Reactions ◽

Cow's Milk ◽

Gi Symptoms

Introduction: Food allergy (FA) is a global health problem with an ongoing rise in prevalence, especially in developed countries. It has been reported to be most prevalent in children, although cases in adults have been increasing as well. FA may lead to life-threatening clinical manifestations. Data in Lebanon and the Middle East are limited. To our knowledge, few studies tackled its prevalence in children in this region. Aim: This study aims at determining self-reported prevalence of FA in schoolchildren (ages 3–17 years) in Lebanon and describes its characteristics. Method: Throughout this cross-sectional study, 5 schools from 3 different governorates in Lebanon (Beirut, Mt. Lebanon, and Beqaa) were contacted to participate and 5,312 questionnaires were sent out to be completed by the parents and sent back to the school during May 2019. Results: 2,610 questionnaires were collected (49.13%). A hundred and forty-eight (6%) children reported to have FA, 58% were males. 80% of them were breastfed, 51% were diagnosed between the ages of 2 and 14 years. Common allergens included cow’s milk and milk products (22.46%), fruits and vegetables (16.58%), eggs (8.02%), and nuts (5.88%). Allergic symptoms included skin reactions (45.08%), gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (29.53%), respiratory symptoms (14.51%), and systemic symptoms (10.88%). 82% of the population with FA has sought professional advice, out of which 54% were confirmed by a physician. Common methods of diagnosis were IgE test (35.71%), food elimination (27.92%), and skin prick test (18.83%). χ2 analysis has shown that a higher percentage of children with FA had skin reactions (58.8%, p = 0.033) and GI symptoms (30.41%, p = 0.047). A higher percentage of children with allergies were breastfed. No relation between the presence of FA and delivery mode was observed. Conclusion: This study has shown that the self-reported prevalence of FA among Lebanese schoolchildren is 6%, and it was correlated with skin and GI symptoms. The most common allergen was cow’s milk. A higher proportion of children with FA were breastfed. No association between the mode of delivery and FA was found. Larger studies are needed to confirm the above findings.

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