Frequency of clinical manifestations of nutritional allergies in preschool children
The aim of the study is to assess the frequency of clinical manifestations of nutritional allergies. This research was designed as a cross-sectional study conducted in the preschool institution "Dr Sima Milosevic". A specially created questionnaire for parents was used for the research. The questionnaire collected data that may have a direct or indirect significance on the occurrence of nutritional allergies. Descriptive and analytical statistical methods were used in statistical data processing. Of the total number of children, 41 children, or 1% of children, have nutritional allergies. The most common symptoms are related to skin changes (53.7%), changes on the lips (22%) and diarrhea (17.1%). Most children, 92.7%, do not have an anaphylactic manifestation of allergy, while 7.3% have an anaphylactic manifestation of allergy. Two children are allergic to eggs and have an anaphylactic manifestation of allergy, and one child is allergic to peanuts. Most children (11) who are allergic to milk have skin changes, i.e. atopic dermatitis, four children have changes on the lips, and four children have problems with the digestive tract, i.e. diarrhea. Three children who are allergic to wheat flour only have digestive tract symptoms, i.e. diarrhea. Early detection of nutritional allergies and preventive measures that are applied to reduce exposure to allergens by implementing an elimination diet and avoiding allergens from the environment can mitigate the consequences of nutritional allergies.