Ha. Aardoom et al., FOOD INTOLERANCE (FOOD HYPERSENSITIVITY) AND CHRONIC COMPLAINTS IN CHILDREN - THE PARENTS PERCEPTION, European journal of pediatrics, 156(2), 1997, pp. 110-112
The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of food intolerance
(FI) in Dutch 5- and 6-year-old children and its association with chro
nic ailments with a survey among parents by questionnaire. Based on pa
rents' perception the prevalence of ''probable'' FI was 3.8%. FI was a
ssociated with asthma, wheezing, eczema, hay fever, chronic rhinitis,
hives, chronic diarrhoea and hyperactive behaviour. The Dutch research
results are commensurate with the findings of a study carried out in
the U.K. Parents frequently associate FI with eczema, hives, chronic d
iarrhoea and hyperactivity. The association with FI remains for asthma
, wheezing, chronic rhinitis, hay fever, chronic diarrhoea and hyperac
tive behaviour even after adjustment for this information bias. Conclu
sion Many parents are not aware that chronic ailments in their child m
ay be caused by FI. The associations:of FI and chronic complaints are
strong enough to justify the discussion with parents during the client
contacts by school physicians, in order to assess the advantages of c
onsulting a paediatrician or allergologist.