2017 Volume 31 Issue 2 Pages 124-134
Objective : We aimed to examine the prevalence of allergic disease and the preventative measures against allergic emergencies among kindergartens and nurseries in Tokyo to identify the issues for improving the management of these diseases in kindergartens and nurseries.
Methods : We mailed a self-administered anonymous questionnaire to a total of 7,405 kindergartens and nurseries in Tokyo and collected the response in September 2014.
Results : We obtained answers from 5,348 institutions (response rate : 72.2%), which showed the following prevalence : food allergy 6.3%, bronchial asthma 3.6%, atopic dermatitis 2.9%, allergic rhinitis 2.3%, allergic conjunctivitis 0.9%, and anaphylaxis 0.6%. Eighty point five percent of the institutions had young children with food allergy, and 19.0% had experienced a child having food allergic reactions on the premises. The reaction was the first episode in 64.9% (658 institutions) of the cases and caused by an accidental ingestion in 34.1% (346 institutions) of the cases.
Conclusions : Compared to the survey conducted by Tokyo Metropolitan in 2009, the numbers of young children with food allergy, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis and food anaphylaxis had all increased. For management of food allergy, it is essential to obligate the submission of an accurate allergy management plan, ensure that parents and families feed their children a variety of foods before starting kindergartens and nurseries to avoid the first exposure to a possible food allergen, determine the cause of an accidental ingestion, and to prepare for management of food allergy emergencies.
