Frequency and type of nutritional allergies in preschool children

Abstract

Food allergy is a very current health problem that tends to constantly increase the number of sufferers. The most common nutritional allergens, which are responsible for more than 90% of adverse reactions, are proteins from cow's milk, eggs, peanuts, nuts, soy, wheat flour, fish and marine molluscs, arthropods and cephalopods. The goal of the research was to determine the frequency and type of nutritional allergies in preschoolers aged 2-6 years. As a research method, a cross-sectional study was used, which was carried out at the "Dr. Sima Milosevic" preschool institution. A comparative descriptive analysis of medical records in the institution was used and the number of children with nutritional allergies and the type of nutritional allergies was determined in relation to 4123 children aged 2-6 years. A specially created survey questionnaire for parents was used as a research instrument, which collected data on nutritional allergies. Statistical data processing was done in the SPSS Windows version 25 software package. Descriptive and analytical statistics methods were used in statistical data processing. Of the total number of children, 1% had a nutritional allergy. The results obtained in the examined group show that the frequency of nutritional allergies is to milk and eggs, with boys to milk and eggs, and girls to milk, peanuts, and tree nuts. The data show the importance and need for monitoring and adequate marking of the declaration on products.