Knowledge and Experiences of Grandmothers on Food Allergies in Children

Objective: To investigate the knowledge and experiences of grandmothers from two different socioeconomic groups on food allergies seen in children. Materials and Methods: A 12-item questionnaire related to knowledge and experiences of grandmothers on food allergies in children was distributed to the grandmothers coming from two different socioeconomic groups in Istanbul. Results: A total of 300 grandmothers were included in the study. Each of the high income (first group) and lower-middle income (second group) socio-economic groups consisted of 100 study and 50 control grandmothers respectively. In both the study and control groups, the grandmothers stated that the skin symptoms most commonly would remind them of food allergies. More grandmothers from the first study and control groups than the second ones accepted that food allergy might be fatal. Most grandmothers in both the study and control groups said that goat's milk could be given to children with cow's milk allergy. The grandmothers stated that most of the nutrients that might contain cow's milk and hen's egg - especially those made from wheat flour - could be given to children allergic to these foods. Conclusion: Grandmothers in our country, who are responsible for the care and nutrition of children should also be trained in terms of food allergies and especially food-related anaphylaxis.