FOOD INTOLERANCE (FOOD HYPERSENSITIVITY) AND CHRONIC COMPLAINTS IN CHILDREN - THE PARENTS PERCEPTION

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.