Parents´ perception of allergic or food intolerant children in relation to disease

Aline Maria Malachini Miotto,Cléa Adas Saliba Garbin,Marcelo Augusto Amaral,Suzely Adas Saliba Moimaz,Tânia Adas Saliba

doi:10.7322/jhgd.v29.9533

Abstract

Introduction: Cow´s milk protein allergy (CMPA) and lactose intolerance (LI) negatively affect the quality of life of patients and their families. Objective: To analyse the perception parents of children with CMPA or LI regarding aspects of health, emphasising their oral health and the factors involved in the treatment of allergy/food intolerance. Methods: Qualitative research employing focus groups, with a sample of 12 parents of children with CMPA or LI (two groups), including the participation of a researcher/moderator, an observer, and six participants in each group and a plan with guiding questions. Discourses were recorded and transcribed, and textual contents were processed in software IRAMUTEQ and analysed by the descendant hierarchical classification (DHC) technique, content analysis, and word cloud. Results: Six categories were derived from DHC-multivariate analysis: (1) infant formula, (2) oral health, (3) nutritional aspects, (4) treatment, (5) disease´s stigma, and (6) health services. The thematic axes were derived from nutritional, assistance, and care categories. Reports of different oral diseases were given by parents regarding food allergy or intolerance in their children, such as frequent caries, teeth spots, pain, and sensitive teeth. Conclusion: Parents´ perception of CMPA/LI in their children is affected by nutritional factors and the stigma caused by the disease, with special reference to the importance given to children´s oral health and reports about difficulties in the access to health services with multi-professional teams.

Highlights

Cows milk protein allergy (CMPA) and lactose intolerance (LI) negatively affect the quality of life of patients and their families
Parentsperception of CMPA/LI in their children is affected by nutritional factors and the stigma caused by the disease, with special reference to the importance given to childrens oral health and reports about difficulties in the access to health services with multi-professional teams
The present study aimed to analyse the perception of parents of children with CMPA or LI regarding aspects of health, emphasising their oral health and the factors involved in the treatment of allergy/food intolerance

Summary

Introduction

Cows milk protein allergy (CMPA) and lactose intolerance (LI) negatively affect the quality of life of patients and their families. Food allergy has increased significantly in developed countries, and it may have significant effects on peoples quality of life[1]. It affects 6%–8% of children and 2% of adults worldwide[2,3]. Cows milk protein allergy (CMPA) is the most common allergy in children[4,5] and it may affect up to 4.9% of children less than three years old[6]. In northeastern Europe, close to the North Sea, it occurs in 5% of adults, with a lower prevalence in Denmark (4%), the UK (5%), and Sweden (1%–7%). In Brazil, 43% of white and mixed-race adults have LI, with great frequency among Negroes and Japanese descendants[8]

Methods

Results

Conclusion