Food allergy prevalence in United Arab Emirates

Monday, 02 November 2009 23:12

A study has been conducted to determine the prevalence of food allergy in school children aged 6-9 years in Al-Ain city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The study comprised a random sample of 397 school children whose parents completed a self-administered questionnaire designed to assess the presence or absence of physician diagnosis of food allergy and other allergic diseases.  

Results indicate a prevalence of 8% of physician-diagnosed food allergy in children living in Al-Ain city. The main allergies reported included eggs, fruits and fish. The investigators found food allergy was significantly greater in children with a family history of food allergy, those with fewer siblings and those with a personal history of other atopic diseases.

Reference: Al-Hammadi et al. 2010. International Archives of Allergy and Immunology. Vl151 pp. 336-342 (DOI: 10.1159/000250442)