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Food avoidance in children with adverse food reactions: Influence of anxiety and clinical parameters
Author(s) -
Le ThuyMy,
Zijlstra Wieneke T.,
Opstal Eveline Y.,
Knol Mirjam J.,
L'Hoir Monique P.,
Knulst André C.,
Pasmans Suzanne G. M. A.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
pediatric allergy and immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.269
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1399-3038
pISSN - 0905-6157
DOI - 10.1111/pai.12114
Subject(s) - medicine , anxiety , food allergy , population , trait anxiety , psychiatry , allergy , environmental health , immunology
Abstract Background Many children in the general population avoid food because of self‐reported adverse food reactions ( AFR ). Food avoidance can have negative consequences for well‐being and nutritional status. This study aimed to investigate which factors are related to avoidance behavior in children (10–13 yr old) from the general population. Methods Questionnaires for both mother and child were sent to participants from the Europrevall study: 164 children with self‐reported AFR and 170 children without AFR s. Spielberger state anxiety and trait anxiety and clinical parameters, such as severity of the adverse reaction, specific I g E and doctor's diagnosis, were compared between those who have (had) AFR and avoid food (i.e., avoiders) and those who have (had) AFR (s) and do not avoid food (anymore; i.e., non‐avoiders). Results In total, 59% of the children with AFR s avoided food, of whom 26% had positive specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE). Child's state anxiety about an AFR was higher in avoiders than in non‐avoiders, (p < 0.001), whereas child's trait anxiety and maternal state anxiety and trait anxiety were comparable in both groups. Avoiders reported more often severe symptoms (i.e., generalized urticaria, respiratory or cardiovascular symptoms) than non‐avoiders, (p = 0.03). Food avoidance was not associated with doctor's diagnosis of food allergy or doctor's advice to avoid food (p = 1.00). Conclusion Food avoidance is related to child's state anxiety about an adverse food reaction. Food avoidance seems to be independent of a doctor's diagnosis of food allergy and advice on food avoidance.