title: [Prevalence of food allergy in Icelandic infants during first year of life].
abstract: This study is a part of EuroPrevall, an EU-funded European food allergy project. The aim was to evaluate the prevalence of food allergy in Icelandic infants during their first year of life.
  
  
  
  Infants (n=1,341) were followed prospectively from birth to 12 months of age. Questionnaires were obtained at birth and 12 months. Children with symptoms of possible food allergy were assessed with a skin-prick test (SPT) and specific IgE. Food allergy was confirmed with a double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC).
  
  
  
  Out of 170 symptomatic children 44 infants (3.27%) had either positive SPT (n=21; 1.57%) or specific IgE (n=40; 2.98%). Food allergy was confirmed in 25 (1.86%); egg allergy 1.42%, milk 0.52%, fish 0.22%, wheat 0.15%, peanuts 0.15%, and soy 0.07%. Atopic dermatitis was diagnosed in 7.90% (n=106) and according to questionnaires 8.80% had asthma (n=118). Positive family history was the strongest risk factor for asthma (OR=2.12; p<0.001) and atopic dermatitis (OR=1.90; p=0.004). Family history influenced the relationship between predisposing factors and allergy symptoms.
  
  
  
  Our results show lower prevalence of food allergy than previously reported in a study of Icelandic children at two years of age. The prevalence was also lower than reported in some other European countries and could be explained by different genetic and environmental factors.
authors.affiliation: Læknadeild, Háskóla Íslands.
authors.forename: Harpa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kristinsdóttir
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clausen
authors.forename: Hildur S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Ragnarsdóttir
authors.forename: Ingibjörg H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Halldórsdóttir
authors.forename: Doreen
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McBride
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Beyer
authors.forename: Sigurveig Th
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Sigurdardóttir
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004777:Environment; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland / Q000453:epidemiology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007428:Intradermal Tests; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007073:Immunoglobulin E