Factors impacting parental burden in food-allergic children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
• Clinical Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated food allergies significantly impact children's quality of life and place a substantial burden on parents.
• Adrenaline autoinjectors (AAIs) are crucial for managing anaphylaxis, but parental attitudes and knowledge surrounding their use require further investigation.
• Understanding factors contributing to parental burden is essential for developing effective support strategies for families managing food allergies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key factors influencing parental burden in children with IgE-mediated food allergies.
• To assess parental attitudes, confidence, and knowledge regarding adrenaline autoinjectors (AAIs).
• To explore the relationship between AAI prescription and parental burden.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving parents of diagnosed IgE-mediated food-allergic children (FAC) attending hospital allergy clinics.
• Validated questionnaires were used to assess parental burden (using the FAQL-PB), attitudes, confidence, and knowledge of AAIs.
• Data analysis focused on identifying correlations between demographic factors, allergy characteristics, AAI prescription, and parental burden scores.

Main Results:

• A high prevalence of multiple food allergies (52%), eczema (85%), asthma (54%), and a history of anaphylaxis (63%) was observed in the study population.
• While 84% of children had AAIs prescribed, parental burden scores were higher when parents had administered an AAI or when children were allergic to more than two foods.
• Most parents (90%) reported that AAIs did not negatively impact their child's quality of life or family freedom, with only 3% reporting increased stress.

Conclusions:

• The severity of food allergy, the number of food allergens, and a history of anaphylaxis are more significant determinants of parental burden than the prescription status of an adrenaline autoinjector (AAI).
• Parental administration of AAIs and the number of food allergens are associated with increased parental burden.
• Adrenaline autoinjectors (AAIs) generally do not negatively affect quality of life or family freedom, suggesting a need to focus support on managing allergy severity and anaphylaxis risk.