Pediatr Allergy Respir Dis.  2011 Mar;21(1):32-38.

Management of Food Allergies in Young Children at a Child Care Center and Hospital in Korean

• Seo WH
• Jang EY
• Han YS
• Ahn KM
• Jung JT

Abstract

PURPOSE
We studied the management of young children with histories of food allergies at child care centers, along with the diagnosis and follow-up management after a visit to a hospital emergency department (ED).
METHODS
1) The survey was conducted in April 2010 in Seoul, Korea. Three hundred forty-five child care centers caring for children between the ages of 0 and 5 years were contacted by mail. The questionnaire was designed to identify symptoms and management of children in child care centers with histories of food allergies. 2) We studied children who were diagnosed with angioedema or anaphylaxis between January 2002 and August 2010 in the ED of Korea University.
RESULTS
1) According to the 345 collected questionnaires, 243 child care centers asked parents about their children's allergic diseases and 492 children had food allergies. A reported 461 children from 207 child care centers had food restrictions. Only 21 child care centers supplied substitute foods with the same amounts and types of nutrients. One hundred forty-five teachers had received education about food allergies. 2) Thirty children were diagnosed with anaphylaxis or angioedema after food ingestion. Only seven children visited a physician after being discharged from the ED.
CONCLUSION
This study identified a lack of food allergy education at child care centers and in homes. Child care centers need to be equipped with knowledge to prevent severe allergic reactions. Also, parents should know more about the importance of food allergies in their children.

Keyword

Food allergy; Young children; Child care center; Emergency department

MeSH Terms

Anaphylaxis
Angioedema
Child
Child Care
Eating
Emergencies
Follow-Up Studies
Food Hypersensitivity
Humans
Hypersensitivity
Korea
Parents
Postal Service
Surveys and Questionnaires

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Parentally reported food allergens in the 492 children with food allergies at the 345 participating child care centers.

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  Fig. 2. Allergen related to angioedema and anaphylaxis in 30 children who visited emergency department in hospitals of Korea University from Jan 2000 to Aug 2008.

Reference

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