Abstract
Food allergic children require special support as food allergic reactions may occur in kindergartens. However, information regarding kindergarten readiness for children with food allergies is not well known. To identify prevention and treatment policies for food allergic children at kindergartens, we mailed a questionnaire to kindergarten teachers and parents to assess the prevalence of food allergies among children, their management plan for lunches, the types of reaction that occur, and staff awareness of food allergies.
One hundred and seventy-three kindergartens and 1, 148 parents from eight kindergartens completed the questionnaire. Of 29, 106 children, 2.4% had a food allergy. Sixty percent of food allergic children required food elimination at kindergarten.
Fourteen percent (100/699) of food allergic children experienced food allergic reactions at kindergartens. Reactions were reported to egg (25/61), milk (9/61), fish (including shellfish) (7/61), and peanuts (6/61). The symptoms were mostly skin symptoms (38 children; 62%), but, wheezing was seen in four (7%), and hypotension was seen in one child.
Finally, only 3% of kindergartens had received instructions from physicians regarding management at kindergarten. Furthermore, kindergarten teachers were found to have a poor understanding of food allergies.
To keep food allergic children safe in kindergartens, there appears to be a need to educate staff about food allergies. Moreover, detailed instructions from the physicians of children in case of emergencies and for prevention are required.
