Alhuzimi Talal E, Alharbi Mudi H
Department of Special Education, College of Education, King Saud University, Riyadh 11362, Saudi Arabia.
Clinical Nutrition Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Madinah 42353, Saudi Arabia.
Children (Basel). 2022 Dec 26;10(1):48. doi: 10.3390/children10010048.
Food allergy is one of the most serious health concerns spread across the globe. Its awareness and management are undervalued, especially in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The aim of this study is to explore the perception of parents of autistic children from Saudi Arabia on the prevalence, knowledge, awareness and management of food allergens.
A cross-sectional exploratory self-administrated online survey was conducted in Saudi Arabia, where 125 parents of autistic children voluntarily took part in the survey from April to August 2022.
This study indicates that less than one-fourth of autistic children suffering from food allergies, while most of them are allergic to proteins mainly. Examination of the knowledge level of these parents regarding food allergies, depending upon the score of correct answers given by them, showed that a majority of parents had a moderate level of knowledge on food allergy. Even though there was awareness about food allergens, the use of medical interventions was not employed much. However, the parents were mindful of food labeling and found it to be useful in avoiding known food allergies. Mediating effects of food allergy were observed in the relationship between food allergy knowledge and its management. Moreover, the source of information about food allergies was also found to be significantly associated with the knowledge score and the level of awareness regarding food allergies. This study provides evidence that there is a significant influence of food allergy knowledge of parents of autistic children on its management among autistic children from Saudi Arabia, with awareness of food allergies as the mediator.
This is the first study where the prevalence, knowledge and management, along with awareness of food allergy, has been empirically explored through the perception of parents of autistic children.
食物过敏是全球范围内最严重的健康问题之一。其认知和管理未得到充分重视，尤其是在患有自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）的儿童中。本研究的目的是探讨沙特阿拉伯自闭症儿童家长对食物过敏原的患病率、知识、认知和管理的看法。
在沙特阿拉伯进行了一项横断面探索性自填式在线调查，2022年4月至8月期间，125名自闭症儿童家长自愿参与了该调查。
本研究表明，不到四分之一的自闭症儿童患有食物过敏，其中大多数主要对蛋白质过敏。根据这些家长给出的正确答案得分来检查他们对食物过敏的知识水平，结果显示大多数家长对食物过敏的知识水平中等。尽管对食物过敏原有所认知，但医疗干预措施的使用并不多。然而，家长们关注食品标签，并发现其有助于避免已知的食物过敏。在食物过敏知识与其管理之间的关系中观察到了食物过敏的中介作用。此外，还发现食物过敏信息来源与食物过敏知识得分及认知水平显著相关。本研究提供了证据，表明沙特阿拉伯自闭症儿童家长的食物过敏知识对自闭症儿童的食物过敏管理有显著影响，食物过敏认知起到了中介作用。
这是第一项通过自闭症儿童家长的看法对食物过敏的患病率、知识、管理以及认知进行实证探索的研究。
