title: Parental Perception, Prevalence and Primary Care Physicians' Knowledge on Childhood Food Allergy in Croatia.
abstract: Food allergy in children is increasing and the perception of food allergy among parents is even more common. In a questionnaire-based study of 702 children aged 6 to 48 months in four primary care settings, the aim was to determine the prevalence of perception vs. proven food allergy, parental anxiety and general pediatrician knowledge of food allergy. In 95/702 children (13.5%) parentally-reported food was associated reactions. IgE and/or skin prick test (SPT) and/or an open provocation test were performed in 48 (6.8%) and allergy was proven in 38 (5.4%) children. Discrepancy between parental perception and proven allergy is significant (p < 0.001), especially for food other than milk, egg and peanut (p < 0.001). Allergy to milk was the most common. Allergy to peanut was significantly more common in children ≥2 years (p < 0.05). Severe reactions occurred in 5/95 (5.2%) of all children and in 5/38 (13.1%) of allergic children, in 3/5 caused by peanut. Parents of children with proven allergy do not experience high degree of anxiety. The perception of food allergy among general pediatricians is limited, and in children with severe reactions precautionary measures and information to parents were insufficient. Parents and general pediatricians need additional education in food allergy.
authors.affiliation: General Pediatric Office, Dom Zdravlja Zagreb-Centar, Runjaninova 4, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. baricict@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Tamara Voskresensky
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Baricic
authors.affiliation: General Pediatric Office, Borisa Papandopula 26, 43000 Bjelovar, Croatia. mcatipov@inet.hr.
authors.forename: Marija
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Catipovic
authors.affiliation: General Pediatric Office, Dom Zdravlja Zagreb-Centar, Runjaninova 4, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. el.cetinic@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Erina L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Cetinic
authors.affiliation: General Pediatric Office, Ante Starcevica 12, 12350 Metkovic, Croatia. vlado.krmek@du.t-com.hr.
authors.forename: Vlado
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Krmek
authors.affiliation: University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Salata 4, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. ivona.horvat@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Ivona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Horvat
keywords: children; education on food allergy; food allergy; parental perception