Epidemiology of food allergy in children under 3 years old in Guangdong: a community cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, major allergens, and associated risk factors of food allergy (FA) among children under three years old in Guangdong, China.

METHODS

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 across three cities (Guangzhou, Foshan, Huizhou) representing varying urbanization levels. Using multistage stratified cluster sampling, 745 children aged 0-35 months were included. Data were collected via caregiver questionnaires and with physician verification when available.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of FA was 6.8%, with higher rates observed in urban Guangzhou (9.0%) compared to Foshan (6.5%) and Huizhou (5.0%). Milk (3.1%) and egg (2.1%) were the most common allergens, followed by aquatic products (1.9%). Cutaneous symptoms, particularly rash (60.6%) and pruritus (39.3%), predominated.

CONCLUSION

FA is a significant health concern among infants in Guangdong, with distinct allergen profiles and urban-rural disparities. These findings underscore the need for region-specific dietary guidance and individualized infant feeding practices to mitigate allergy risk and address nutritional concerns in allergic children.