[Prevalence of putative food hypersensitivity in young children].

UNLABELLED

Prevalence, symptoms and family prevalence of food hypersensitivity and other hypersensitivities were investigated in a group of 5-6-year old children (n = 1039) in a rural area of the Netherlands using a questionnaire for the parents. Subsequently parents were asked about their actions once they suspected their child of food hypersensitivity. According to 23.1% of the parents their child was hypersensitive, and mostly food hypersensitive (11.4%). In particular, gastrointestinal symptoms, crying spells in infancy and behaviour problems were reported. These symptoms were usually caused by cows' milk, food additives and chocolate. Most of the food hypersensitive children experienced their first problems before their first birthday. Although only 39% of these children were examined, 91.5% of the parents of the so-called food hypersensitive children restricted the food intake of their children.

CONCLUSION

Many parents consider their children to be food hypersensitive and they restrict the food intake without any examination.