%0 Journal Article
%T Prevalence of Parent-Reported Food Allergy in a Mexican Pre-School Population.
%A Arámburo-Gálvez JG
%A Figueroa-Salcido OG
%A Ramírez-Torres GI
%A Terán-Cabanillas E
%A Gracia-Valenzuela MH
%A Arvizu-Flores AA
%A Sánchez-Cárdenas CA
%A Mora-Melgem JA
%A Valdez-Zavala L
%A Cárdenas-Torres FI
%A Ontiveros N
%J J Clin Med
%V 12
%N 15
%D 2023 Aug 3
%M 37568497
%F 4.964
%R 10.3390/jcm12155095
%X The magnitude and relevance of food allergies in the preschool population remain unknown in most regions of Mexico and Latin America. Thus, our aim was to estimate the parent-reported prevalence of food allergies in a Mexican preschool population and to characterize their clinical diagnosis and presentation. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Culiacán City. A validated questionnaire was utilized. A total of 810 parents responded to the questionnaire (valid response rate, 40.7%). The estimated prevalence rates (95% CI) were: "physician-diagnosed Food Allergy (FA), ever" 5.30% (3.86-7.08); "immediate-type FA, ever" 2.96% (1.91-4.38); "immediate-type FA, current" 1.60% (0.86-2.73); and food-dependent anaphylaxis 1.11% (0.51-2.01). The main food allergens were milk (0.49%), strawberries (0.37%), egg, and soy (0.25% each). Atopic diseases and a family history of allergies were significantly associated with immediate-type FA. Among "immediate-type FA, current" cases, 76.9% required emergency room visits, but the prescription of epinephrine autoinjectors was reported in one case only. The food reactions occurred at home (92.35%), in a relative's house (38.5), and at restaurants (23%). Immediate-type FA reactions requiring emergency room visits are not uncommon among the studied population. Actions like proper anaphylaxis management and the prevention of cross-contamination of foods should be encouraged.