2022 Volume 36 Issue 1 Pages 93-100
Purpose: To collect data on accidental ingestion in Nara Prefecture, Japan, for use in patient education and the development of a safe environment for children with allergies.
Methods: We conducted a questionnaire survey on the accidental ingestion of allergens. The participants were parents of children who visited either of the eight hospitals and clinics in Nara Prefecture and had accidentally ingested an allergen between November 2019 and October 2020.
Results: Of the 80 accidental ingestion cases, 51 cases occurred at home, followed by a restaurant and at school lunch. Improper ingredients check and minimal child supervision caused the majority of cases in households. At restaurant, an insufficient ingredients check was the leading cause of accidental ingestion, and during school lunches, the primary cause was meal serving mistakes.
Discussion: There are many cases of accidental ingestion of allergens at home caused due to improper ingredients check. Hence, this is crucial in patient education. It is necessary to inform and educate parents and patients with food allergies about the importance of carefully checking for allergens in foods that have not been cooked by them or are being eaten for the first time, without making judgements or assumptions based on the appearance. Everyone in the child's life should be aware of the risks of food allergies in order to ensure the safety of children with food allergies in everyday life.
