Quality of life in food allergic children: Results from 174 quality-of-life patient questionnaires.

BACKGROUND: Food allergies are becoming a global concern and pose a significant burden on allergic children and their family, with reported physical and emotional effects. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of food allergy on patients' quality of life (QoL), to identify any characteristics associated with worse QoL, and to directly compare the effect of food allergies on the QoL of adolescents vs younger children. METHODS: Children 0 to 17 years old with a physician-confirmed food allergy diagnosis were invited to participate by completing the validated Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire (FAQLQ). The FAQLQ form for children 10 to 12 years old was completed by the parent (proxy report), whereas the FAQLQ form for adolescents was completed by the adolescent (self-report). Scores were compared using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Independent median regressions were used to test association between potential risk factors and QoL outcomes. RESULTS: In our cohort, the median FAQLQ score was significantly higher (reflecting lower QoL) in adolescents compared with children (4.7 vs 3.5, P = .007). The median social and dietary limitations score (5.2 vs 4, P = .002) and the median emotional impact score (3.8 vs 3.1, P = .02) were also higher in adolescents. Limitations in family activities because of food allergy had a negative effect on QoL. CONCLUSION: Food allergic adolescents are affected more than younger children (based on parental report) in terms of QoL, with a direct reflection on all areas of their daily life (emotional, dietary, and social). In addition, limitations in family activities because of the child's food allergy significantly worsen the QoL and well being of all family members.

Prevalence and Characteristics of Shellfish Allergy in the Pediatric Population of the United States.

BACKGROUND: Shellfish allergy (SA) is one of the most common food allergies causing anaphylaxis in adults and children. There are limited data showing the prevalence of SA in US children. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and reaction characteristics of SA in the US pediatric population. METHODS: A cross-sectional food allergy prevalence survey was administered via phone and the Web by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago from 2015 to 2016. Point prevalence SA estimates, complex survey weighted proportions, and 95% CIs were determined. Relative proportions of demographic characteristics were compared using weighted Pearson χ2 statistics. RESULTS: The prevalence of SA was 1.3% (95% CI, 1.1-1.5), with more children allergic to crustaceans (1.2%; 95% CI, 1.0-1.3) than to mollusks (0.5%; 95% CI, 0.4-0.6). Mean ages of shellfish, crustacean, and mollusk allergy diagnoses were 5.0 (95% CI, 4.4-5.6), 5.1 (95% CI, 4.6-5.6), and 7.7 (95% CI, 5.7-9.7) years, respectively. More than half (54.9%; 95% CI, 48.1-61.4) of pediatric patients with SA had more than 1 lifetime food allergy-related emergency room visit, but only 45.7% (95% CI, 39.2-52.4) carried an epinephrine autoinjector. Children with SA were more likely to be black/Hispanic/Latino and have comorbid asthma, allergic rhinitis, or a parental history of asthma, environmental, or other food allergies (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiology of SA in the US pediatric population shows that crustacean allergy is more common than mollusk allergy. A disparity in SA children and epinephrine autoinjector carriage exists. Results from this study will lead to increased awareness of the need for detailed histories, specific diagnostic tests, and rescue epinephrine for anaphylaxis in US children with SA.

The Role of Probiotics in Preventing Allergic Disease.

The prevalence of allergic disorders has been increasing worldwide and significantly impacts the quality of life of the atopic individual. There has been an increased interest in the role of probiotics for the prevention and treatment of allergic disorders, given the recent evidence that atopy risk may be associated with a dysbiosis of the gut microbiome. Research in this area is ongoing with some studies showing possible benefits of probiotics, with seemingly little to no risk. While these studies suggest that there may be a promise in probiotic use for the prevention or treatment of allergy, further evidence is needed to determine its efficacy, optimal dosing, and strains needed for treatment. In this review, we discuss recently published studies examining the benefits, risks, and role of probiotics in preventing atopic dermatitis, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and food allergy.