Predictors of childhood food allergy: Significance and implications

Background: Food allergy is common in children, and its occurrence is strongly associated with other allergies including anaphylaxis. Both genetic (e.g., CD14, STAT6, IL-10, SPINK5, and FOXP3 genes) and environmental (e.g., early exposure to highly allergic food) factors appear to contribute to food allergy. Method: Cross-sectional study involved children in public primary schools in Al-Ain city (United Arab Emirates). 660 students from the chosen classes were provided with 35 questions to be answered by their parents with a response rate 60.2%. The objective of the study was to determine predictors for food allergy in children. Result: Significant associations were found between childhood food allergy and a history of personal allergy (atopic dermatitis, asthma or allergic rhino-conjunctivitis) or immediate family members with food allergy or other allergic diseases. The best predictors for childhood food allergy were a personal history of asthma (p <0.001), a personal history of atopic dermatitis (p <0.001), a paternal history of atopic dermatitis (p =0.005) and a paternal history of allergic rhino-conjunctivitis (p =0.012). Discussion: These results are consistent with the notion that "various forms of allergy, including childhood food allergy are hereditarily coupled". Thus, predicting childhood food allergy provides an opportunity to prevent or ameliorate the symptoms.