Prevalence, clinical presentation, and associated atopic diseases of pediatric fruit and vegetable allergy: A population-based study

Abstract

Background: In children, fruit and vegetable allergies are often overlooked compared with well-known allergies such as those to eggs, milk, and shellfish. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze fruit and vegetable allergies in children, including prevalence, types of food allergens, clinical presentation, management, and associated comorbid atopic diseases.

Methods: In 2012, a nationwide, cross-sectional, random sampling questionnaire-based survey for common fruit and vegetable allergies was conducted in Taiwan. Information regarding these plant food allergies was collected. Physicians diagnosed food allergies according to the descriptions of convincing symptoms. Enrolled questionnaires were reviewed by expert pediatricians.

Results: A total of 9,982 valid questionnaires were analyzed. The overall prevalence of fruit and vegetable allergies was 5.6% (n = 560) and 3.0% (n = 304), respectively. The most common fruit allergen was mango, followed by kiwifruit, whereas taro and bamboo shoot were the most common vegetable allergens. Meanwhile, most allergic symptoms were of the mucocutaneous tissue, followed by the upper airway and gastrointestinal tract. Most only required avoidance of allergens and not medical treatment. Children with fruit or vegetable allergies had a higher percentage of comorbid atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma than those without food allergies; additionally, the proportion of comorbid atopic diseases was similar between fruit and vegetable allergies and shellfish allergy. One child developed anaphylaxis due to a corn allergy.

Conclusions: Fruits and vegetables are common food allergens in Taiwanese children who present with diverse and potentially severe symptoms. Children with plant food allergies had a percentage of comorbid atopic diseases similar to that of shellfish allergy, the most common allergen. These findings indicate the importance of considering fruit and vegetable allergies in children.

Keywords: atopic disease; children; fruit allergy; vegetable allergy.