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

Abstract

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. 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. 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. 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.