Original Paper

Prevalence of Food Allergy among Children in Al-Ain City, United Arab Emirates
S. Al-Hammadi^a, F. Al-Maskari^b, R. Bernsen^b

Departments of
^aPediatrics and
^bCommunity Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of the United Arab Emirates, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates

Address of Corresponding Author

Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2010;151:336-342 (DOI: 10.1159/000250442)

  Key Words

• Allergens
• Children
• Food allergy
• Symptoms
• United Arab Emirates

  Abstract

Background: Food allergy (FA) in children is an important health problem. However, the prevalence of FA in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has not yet been determined. This cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the prevalence of FA among school children aged 6-9 years in Al-Ain city, UAE. Methods: We used multistage random sampling in order to get a sample of 397 school children whose parents completed a self-administered questionnaire designed to assess the presence or absence of physician diagnosis of FA and other allergic diseases. Results: The study showed that the prevalence of physician-diagnosed FA in children was 8% (95% CI 5.4-10.8%). Eggs, fruits and fish were the main allergies reported. FA was independently related to a family history of FA, to a small sibship size and to a personal history of other atopic diseases. Conclusions: The prevalence of FA in Al-Ain city was 8%. A history of FA in first-degree family members and a small sibship size were associated with a higher risk of FA in children. FA was related to a personal history of other atopic diseases.

Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Correspondence to: Dr. Fatma Al-Maskari
Department of Community Medicine
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
University of the United Arab Emirates, Al-Ain (United Arab Emirates)
Tel. +971 3 713 7173, Fax +971 3 767 2001, E-Mail fatma.am@uaeu.ac.ae

  Article Information

Received: August 21, 2008
Accepted after revision: July 13, 2009
Published online: October 22, 2009
Number of Print Pages : 7
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 5, Number of References : 39