Potential risk factors of food allergy in children: EuroPrevall project results in Vilnius, Lithuania

Objectives: In recent decades, the prevalence of allergic diseases, including food allergy, has been increasing. This is becoming an important health problem. Many risk factors of food allergy were identified recently, and many of them still are controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential risk factors of food allergy in child population following the methodology of the EuroPrevall project. Methods: Vilnius University was a partner in the EuroPrevall integrated project “The prevalence cost and basis of food allergy in Europe”, which is an EU-funded multi-disciplinary research study. A case-control study design was used to address the study question. All subjects were assessed by means of questionnaire and blood sample test for specific immunoglobulin E. Possible risk factors like mother’s addictions (smoking, alcohol drinking during pregnancy), infant low birth weight and nursing duration, gender, treatment with antibiotics during first two years of life were analysed. Multiple logistic regression was used for risk factor analysis. Results: No statistically significant associations were found between risk factors and food allergy. Only gender (male) (ORa = 3.36, 95% CI 1.17-9.63) and mother’s food allergy (ORa = 5.44, 95% CI 1.19-24.97) were directly associated with child’s food allergy. Because of the presence of those both two factors (gender (male) + mother’s allergy), the risk for food allergy increased particularly—OR was 18.31 (95% CI 2.01-166.07). Conclusion: Gender (male) and mother’s food allergy are the most important risk factors directly associated with children’s food allergy.