Scholarlink

Background <p>Food allergy (FA) is an increasing public health concern in children, but epidemiological data in Chinese preschoolers remain limited. We investigated the prevalence and clinical characteristics of FA among children aged 3–6 years in Taizhou, China.</p> Methods <p>In this cross-sectional survey (February–March 2023), stratified cluster sampling was used to recruit children from 56 kindergartens across nine districts/counties in Taizhou. Parents/guardians completed a standardized questionnaire. Children with suspected FA underwent follow-up interviews and SPT and/or sIgE testing; FA was classified as clinically presumed based on compatible history plus SPT/sIgE, without oral food challenge (OFC).</p> Results <p>Among 4,783 valid questionnaires, the prevalence of parent-reported FA was 9.28%, and the prevalence of clinically presumed FA was 6.10%. The most common manifestations were skin rash/pruritus (81.8%), followed by respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. The leading suspected allergens were eggs (29.8%), cow’s milk (21.6%), seafood (20.5%), mango (9.3%), legumes (2.1%), and nuts (2.1%). Compared with non-FA children, those with clinically presumed FA had a lower BMI and higher rates of atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, wheezing, and constipation (all <i>P</i> &lt; 0.01). Parental history of atopic dermatitis or allergic rhinitis was associated with increased risk of clinically presumed FA in children (all <i>P</i> &lt; 0.001).</p> Conclusion <p>FA is common among preschool children in Taizhou; however, prevalence estimates reflect clinically presumed FA (history plus SPT/sIgE) rather than OFC-confirmed disease. Eggs, milk, and seafood were the predominant allergens, and affected children frequently had atopic comorbidities and a family history of allergic disease. These findings provide region-specific evidence to inform early identification and management strategies.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Prevalence and clinical features of food allergy in preschool children in Taizhou, China: a cross-sectional study

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月6日

查看全文
  • Jiangyin Sheng,
  • Yan Hong,
  • Yandan Yin,
  • Jingjing Jin,
  • Yingying Xu

摘要

Background

Food allergy (FA) is an increasing public health concern in children, but epidemiological data in Chinese preschoolers remain limited. We investigated the prevalence and clinical characteristics of FA among children aged 3–6 years in Taizhou, China.

Methods

In this cross-sectional survey (February–March 2023), stratified cluster sampling was used to recruit children from 56 kindergartens across nine districts/counties in Taizhou. Parents/guardians completed a standardized questionnaire. Children with suspected FA underwent follow-up interviews and SPT and/or sIgE testing; FA was classified as clinically presumed based on compatible history plus SPT/sIgE, without oral food challenge (OFC).

Results

Among 4,783 valid questionnaires, the prevalence of parent-reported FA was 9.28%, and the prevalence of clinically presumed FA was 6.10%. The most common manifestations were skin rash/pruritus (81.8%), followed by respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. The leading suspected allergens were eggs (29.8%), cow’s milk (21.6%), seafood (20.5%), mango (9.3%), legumes (2.1%), and nuts (2.1%). Compared with non-FA children, those with clinically presumed FA had a lower BMI and higher rates of atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, wheezing, and constipation (all P < 0.01). Parental history of atopic dermatitis or allergic rhinitis was associated with increased risk of clinically presumed FA in children (all P < 0.001).

Conclusion

FA is common among preschool children in Taizhou; however, prevalence estimates reflect clinically presumed FA (history plus SPT/sIgE) rather than OFC-confirmed disease. Eggs, milk, and seafood were the predominant allergens, and affected children frequently had atopic comorbidities and a family history of allergic disease. These findings provide region-specific evidence to inform early identification and management strategies.