Abstract
In Japan, approximately 10% of children have food allergy, and most of them are younger ones who might go to kindergartens. To evaluate how allergenic foods are avoided in kindergartens, we mailed a questionnaire to all 465 kindergartens in Toyama Prefecture. Complete data were available in 352 kindergartens. Food elimination has been undertaken in 70.5% kindergartens for 1.24% of the children. Most of the orders were obtained from their parents, and only 19.9% orders were from written protocols by physicians. Accidental allergenic food intake had occurred in 33.3% of the children, and 10.1% of them developed systemic symptoms. Food elimination for children with food allergy is undertaken routinely in kindergartens without a written protocol for food avoidance and treatment. There appears to be a need for a guideline of elimination diet in kindergartens.
