Adverse reactions to food in New Zealand children aged 0-5 years.

AIM: The aim of this study was to describe parent/caregiver-reported adverse reactions to food in children aged 0-5 years in New Zealand. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was undertaken in clinics conducted by the Royal New Zealand Plunket Society, which is the major healthcare provider for New Zealand's Well Child programme. Parents/caregivers of 110 (65%) children participated. RESULTS: Of the 44 children who experienced an adverse reaction to food, only four were clinically evaluated and had undergone diagnostic testing. Two other children were hospitalised following systemic symptoms. Neither was tested for food allergy. 18 (16%) children had physician diagnosed eczema. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this small study, the data indicated adverse reactions to foods are a public health concern in New Zealand and may be under investigated even in children with severe symptoms. These children remain at increased risk of continued morbidity. Based on this preliminary study further research on food allergy in New Zealand is warranted.

The changing epidemiology of food allergy--implications for New Zealand.

Food allergy (FA) is recognised as an important public health problem in developed countries. Recent studies suggest a significant proportion of the general population has a definable FA. The methods used to study FA influence published estimates of incidence and prevalence. In particular, studies relying on self-assessment are likely to overestimate the condition compared to studies using a comprehensive approach including symptoms, allergy testing, rigorously conducted laboratory tests, and food challenges. Currently there are no reliable data on the prevalence of FA in New Zealand. This has had several adverse consequences including the lack of public hospital services for patients with severe allergies. In this article we summarise the epidemiological data on FA and discuss the implications for New Zealand.