Nutrient intake in school-aged children with food allergies: a case-control study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nutrition
• Allergy and Immunology
• Dietary Assessment

Background:

• Previous research focused on young children with food allergy (FA).
• Limited data exists on nutrient intake in school-aged children with FA.
• Understanding nutritional status is key for managing FA in children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare macro- and micronutrient intake between school-aged children with FA and non-allergic controls.
• To identify specific nutrient deficiencies or excesses in children with FA.
• To inform nutritional recommendations for managing FA elimination diets.

Main Methods:

• Case-control study involving 93 Italian children (52 with FA, 41 controls).
• Median age of participants was 7.5 years (FA group) and 8.3 years (control group).
• Nutrient intake assessed via a three-day food dietary record; anthropometric measurements collected.

Main Results:

• Children with FA had a significantly lower median height z-score than controls.
• Despite similar energy and protein intake, FA group had lower micronutrient intake, especially calcium.
• Suboptimal intake of calcium, iron, and vitamin D was noted in both groups.
• Protein intake exceeded recommendations in both groups, with higher consumption in the FA group.

Conclusions:

• School-aged children with FA may face risks of inadequate micronutrient intake, particularly calcium.
• Higher protein intake in FA children warrants further investigation.
• Nutritional counseling is essential for children with FA on elimination diets to ensure adequate nutrient intake.