Life quality before and after the treatment of food allergy in infants / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the life quality in infants with food allergy before and after treatment by using of Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire - Parent Form(FAQLQ - PF). Methods The severity of eczema in 46 children with food allergy was determined by eczema area and severity index(EASI). The life quality of such infants was assessed by the FAQLQ - PF after 2 - months treatment. Results (1)Among the 50 subjects,46(92% )respon-ded to the tests;the average age was(4. 78 ± 1. 48)months. Twenty - nine(63. 04% )subjects had family history of allergic disease. Egg(73. 91% )was the most common allergen,followed by cow milk(43. 48% ),fish and shrimp (8. 70% ),and carrot(4. 35% ).(2)The scores of EASI,FAQLQ - PF in children with food allergy before treatment were 13. 20 ± 12. 86 and 2. 12 ± 1. 33,respectively,the scores after treatment declined(2. 02 ± 4. 40 and 1. 33 ± 1. 08, respectively),there was a statistical significance(t = 28. 070,4. 014,all P ﹤ 0. 05).(3)Compared with pre - treat-ment,the scores of emotional impact subscale and food anxiety subscale declined,from 2. 10 ± 1. 47 and 2. 63 ± 1. 83 to 1. 30 ± 1. 09 and 1. 68 ± 1. 37,respectively,and there were statistically significant differences(t = 5. 204,8. 818,all P ﹤ 0. 05).(4)There was a positive correlation between the EASI and FAQLQ - PF scores(ρ = 0. 205,P ﹤ 0. 05). Conclusions Food allergy adversely affects the quality of life in infants. The poor life quality is associated with more severe symptoms. The life quality in infants and parents can be improved by standardized treatment.