Nutritional and Anthropometric Characteristics of Children With Food Allergy

The Relationship Between Nutrition and Allergies in Children Aged 0-6 Years

This observational study evaluates the nutritional habits and anthropometric measurements of children aged 0-6 years with food allergy (FA). Children with FA (case group) and healthy children (control group) were included. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants' parents, and the study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Data collected included children's nutritional history, family sociodemographic information, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory parameters. The study compares case and control groups to provide insights into the growth and nutritional profiles of children with food allergy.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Food Allergy in Children

Detailed Description

This observational case-control study investigates the nutritional habits and anthropometric characteristics of children aged 0-6 years with food allergy (FA). The study included children diagnosed with FA (case group) and healthy children of the same age and sex (control group).

Sociodemographic data were collected from families, including parental education, occupation, income, and family history of allergies. Nutritional information included breastfeeding history, age at introduction of complementary foods, and types of complementary foods. Anthropometric measurements recorded were height, weight, body mass index, upper mid-arm circumference, and head circumference. Laboratory parameters, such as complete blood count, total and food-specific IgE, albumin, and tryptase, were also recorded.

Data collection was conducted by trained personnel: nutritional and sociodemographic data via face-to-face interviews with parents, and anthropometric measurements by a dietician using standard methods. FA diagnosis was confirmed based on clinical history, skin prick tests, and/or serum-specific IgE tests.

The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent was obtained from all parents, and the research protocol was approved by the Necmettin Erbakan University Meram Faculty of Medicine Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee (protocol number: 04.10.2019, 2019/2011).

This study provides information on the growth, nutritional habits, and health profiles of children with food allergy compared to healthy peers.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 185

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Konya, Turkey (Türkiye), 42080
    • Necmettin Erbakan University Faculty of Medicine Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

This study includes children aged 1 month to 6 years. The case group consists of children diagnosed with food allergy (FA), while the control group consists of healthy children without chronic diseases attending the same hospital. Children with other chronic diseases, genetic disorders, immunodeficiencies, neurological diseases, anatomical malformations, or absorption disorders (e.g., celiac disease) are excluded.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children aged 1 month to 6 years
• Case group: children diagnosed with food allergy (FA)
• Control group: healthy children attending the general pediatrics outpatient clinic of the same hospital

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children with other chronic diseases
• Genetic disorders
• Immunodeficiency
• Neurological diseases
• Anatomical malformations
• Absorption disorders (e.g., celiac diseases.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Children with food allergy (cases); Children diagnosed with food allergy.
Healthy children (controls); Healthy children without chronic diseases

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (cm)	Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) will be measured as an indicator of nutritional status. The measurement will be taken at the midpoint between the acromion and olecranon processes of the non-dominant arm using a non-stretchable measuring tape. All measurements will be recorded in centimeters (cm).	At enrollment (cross-sectional assessment, November 2021 - June 2023)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Height (cm)	Height/length will be measured using a standard stadiometer or infantometer. Children under 2 years of age will be measured in the supine position (recumbent length), while children aged 2 years and older will be measured in a standing position without shoes. Measurements will be recorded in centimeters (cm).	At enrollment (November 2021 - June 2023)
Head Circumference (cm)	Head circumference will be measured using a non-stretchable measuring tape in children . The tape will be placed above the eyebrows and around the occipital prominence to obtain the maximum circumference. Measurements will be recorded in centimeters (cm).	At enrollment (November 2021 - June 2023)
Body Weight (kg)	Body weight will be measured using a calibrated digital scale in children. Children under 2 years of age will be weighed without clothing or wearing a clean diaper, while children aged 2 years and older will be weighed wearing light clothing and no shoes. Measurements will be recorded in kilograms (kg).	At enrollment (November 2021 - June 2023)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Necmettin Erbakan University

Publications and helpful links

Helpful Links

• Full text of the study on growth and nutrition in children with food allergies.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 1, 2021
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 5, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): June 5, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 27, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 8, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): April 15, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 20, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 17, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Children; Nutrition; breastfeeding; Food Allergy; Anthropometry; complementary foods
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Immune System Diseases; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Hypersensitivity; Behavior; Feeding Behavior; Food Hypersensitivity; Breast Feeding
• Other Study ID Numbers: EY-FOODALL-01

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: "This observational study does not plan to share individual participant data."

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No