Exploring quality of life and related clinical factors in children with tree nut allergies
Background: In Türkiye, tree nut allergy (TNA) is the most common form of food allergy, characterized by persistence and the potential for life-threatening reactions. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) of Turkish children aged 0-12 years with IgE-mediated TNA and explore influential factors, including parental anxiety. Materials and methods: Primary caregiver-parents of children diagnosed with TNA completed the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire-Parent Form (FAQLQ-PF) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) to assess QoL and parental anxiety, respectively. Results: Of 120 eligible patients diagnosed with TNA, 88 were included in the study. Questionnaires were completed by mothers in 79 cases (90%) and fathers in 9 cases (10%). Parents reported significantly higher FAQLQ-PF scores for children with hazelnut allergy, a history of anaphylaxis, and those who had to use an adrenaline auto-injector. There was significant but weak correlations between FAQLQ-PF and anxiety (STAI) domains. The multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that having a hazelnut allergy, a history of anaphylaxis, and higher parental state anxiety were all associated with higher FAQLQ-PF scores, but fathers tended to report better level of QoL. Conclusion: QoL for children with TNA is influenced by several factors such as adverse life experiences, local and situational factors, and parental anxiety. Understanding these diverse factors is crucial for enhancing the well-being of children with TNA.
https://doi.org/10.24953/turkjpediatr.2025.5293
Exploring quality of life and related clinical factors in children with tree nut allergies
Background: In Türkiye, tree nut allergy (TNA) is the most common form of food allergy, characterized by persistence and the potential for life-threatening reactions. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) of Turkish children aged 0-12 years with IgE-mediated TNA and explore influential factors, including parental anxiety. Materials and methods: Primary caregiver-parents of children diagnosed with TNA completed the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire-Parent Form (FAQLQ-PF) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) to assess QoL and parental anxiety, respectively. Results: Of 120 eligible patients diagnosed with TNA, 88 were included in the study. Questionnaires were completed by mothers in 79 cases (90%) and fathers in 9 cases (10%). Parents reported significantly higher FAQLQ-PF scores for children with hazelnut allergy, a history of anaphylaxis, and those who had to use an adrenaline auto-injector. There was significant but weak correlations between FAQLQ-PF and anxiety (STAI) domains. The multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that having a hazelnut allergy, a history of anaphylaxis, and higher parental state anxiety were all associated with higher FAQLQ-PF scores, but fathers tended to report better level of QoL. Conclusion: QoL for children with TNA is influenced by several factors such as adverse life experiences, local and situational factors, and parental anxiety. Understanding these diverse factors is crucial for enhancing the well-being of children with TNA.
https://doi.org/10.24953/turkjpediatr.2025.5293
IgE mediated food allergy in Turkey: different spectrum, similar outcome.
Background: Food allergies (FAs) potentially differ across cultures. Methods: All medical records of 534 children and adolescents with IgE-mediated FA over a 5-year period were reviewed to document the regional characteristics with regard to spectrum and outcome. Results: According to their last visit, the most common FAs were tree nuts (TNs) (52.4%), cow`s milk (27.3%), seeds (24.7%), egg white (23.2%) and peanuts (14.9%). Hazelnut and Anacardia nuts were the most common etiologies for TN allergies, whereas lentils and chickpeas for legumes and sesame and pumpkin seed for seeds were most common, respectively. TN allergy was in first place in school-age children (55.3%) and adolescents (57.1%) while in the second place in preschoolers (57.7%) after egg white (60%). Of these 534 children, 59.2% had at least one resolved FA (mainly egg white, cow`s milk) and 21% had no residual FA during the study period. Emerging FAs (fish, shellfish, fruit, TN and seed) after the age of 3 years was reported in 94 children. The prevalence of current asthma (22.3%, 38.2%, 40%) and allergic rhinitis (11.6%, 45.2%, 60%) increased, while current atopic dermatitis (17.5%, 8.6%, 8,6%) decreased in preschoolers, school age children and adolescents, respectively. Conclusions: The FA spectrum of Turkish children and adolescents differs from many regions of the world with high rates of TN (hazelnut, Anacardia nuts), seed (sesame, pumpkin seed) and lentils, and low rates of soy, peanut and seafood allergies. However, resolution, emergence and persistence of allergies and comorbidities are similar, which points to the limited role of the environment in the outcome. 10.24953/turkjped.2021.04.002