EC Paediatrics

Background: Although food allergies have been more common over the last several decades, very little is known about them in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. This research set out to determine the most common food allergen among children under the age of 14 years in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: Cross-Sectional study Conducted in Maternity and - Children Hospital Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Pediatric age group 4 month - 14 years both male and female Presented to maternity and children hospital Diagnosed with Food Allergy between 2016-2019, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Date collection Tool was excel sheet spread based on our hospital Data Registry, Validity of the Excel form Checked by Pediatric Consultant. First part Included Socioeconomic Date of the Patient (Age-Gender-Nationality), Second Part Include Food allergy (History of the Disease), Third part (Anaphylaxis), fourth part (Types of food allergy). Sample size was 150 Patient (estimated sample, no need for sample size Calculation). Data entry and statistical analysis were done to Personal Computer and analysis of the Data was done Using SPSS Version 23.

Results: The researchers obtained 1066 children’s result and information’s collected from the data base of the maternity and children in Makkah in collaboration with IT department. The majority of the samples were males (62.7%). Age ranged from 7 months to 14 years and the median age among children included in this study was 5 years. There was not a significant difference in the rate of food allergy between the sexes (males 384 vs. females 150) in children included in this study (P > 0.05). Males had a higher prevalence of food allergy than females did. Seafood allergies were the most prevalent kind of food allergy and skin symptoms were the most common type of allergic manifestation.

Conclusion: The most common food allergen in pediatric age group in maternity and children hospital Makkah - Saudi Arabia was shrimp followed by other seafoods, egg whites, wheat and orange.

Keywords: Food Allergen in Pediatric; Children Hospital; Makkah; Saudi Arabia

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