Insect sting allergy in children: what is the real cost of the disease?

The impact of insect sting allergies on the quality of life of 118 children and their parents is assessed using attitudinal and psychometric questionnaires. Children, ranging in age from 7-15 years, manifested more anxiety in the clinical setting (state anxiety) than usual (trait anxiety), whereas for parents the trend was reversed. Most children believed that they could control being stung, and restrictions imposed by two-thirds of the parents assisted in preventing stinging episodes. Parents perceived their child's academic achievement, social abilities and extracurricular involvement as superior to that of their peers and closest aged siblings.