Evaluation of self-reported fish and shellfish allergy in schoolchildren in the Fez-Meknes Region and its relationship to breastfeeding

Abstract

Abstract Objective The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of self-reported allergy to fish and shellfish among school children and its relation to breastfeeding. Patients and methods The study was based on a survey conducted between April 2014 and March 2015 in middle and high schools in Fez city and its surrounding areas. The total study population numbered 3010 people. Results The results show that 9.5% of children reported an allergy to fish and shellfish. Of these, 7% reported an allergy to sardines, 2.5% to mackerel and 2.1% to shrimps. The most common clinical manifestations observed in this population were cutaneous reactions (80.1%). The study of the effect of breastfeeding on self-reported fish allergy showed that such allergies were more frequent among children who have not been breastfed than in those who had, for all the types of fish studied (15.4% vs. 7.3%; P Conclusion Self-reported allergy to fish and shellfish among schoolchildren, totalling 9.5%, indicates extensive sensitivity of school children to fish and shellfish. We showed that breastfed children were at lower risk of developing fish allergy than those who were not breastfed.