REVUE ALGERIENNE D’ALLERGOLOGIE
Volume 11, Numéro 3, Pages 23-33
2026-10-16
Prevalence Of Challenge-confirmed Food Allergy Among Children Younger Than 5 Years In Beni Messous, Algiers: A Population-based Cross-sectional Study
Authors : Sekfali Lynda . Lamara Mahammed Lydia . Belaid Brahim . Allam Ines . Negab Karim . Brahimi Ghania . Smail Nourredine . Laid Youcef . Djidjik Reda . Benhalla Nafissa . Belbouab Reda .
Abstract
Abstract Background : Reliable population-based data on food allergy (FA) in preschool-aged children are scarce in North Africa, particularly estimates confirmed by oral food challenge (OFC). We estimated the prevalence and clinical profile of OFC-confirmed FA among children younger than 5 years in Algiers, Algeria. Methods : We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study in Beni Messous using stratified multistage cluster sampling. Household interviews were conducted from January to March 2020, and allergy assessment continued through August 2020. Children with suspected current FA underwent standardized evaluation including skin prick testing, serum-specific IgE measurement, and open OFC irrespective of sensitization results. Results : Among 690 children, lifetime and current parent-reported FA prevalences were 5.9% (95% CI 4.4-8.0) and 4.9% (95% CI 3.5-6.8), respectively. Prevalence decreased to 3.2% after allergy-focused assessment and 2.3% when a compatible history was supported by sensitization. Twenty-one children underwent 24 OFCs, 17 of which were positive, confirming FA in 14 children. OFC-confirmed prevalence was 2.0% (95% CI 1.2-3.4). Cow's milk was the leading allergen (population prevalence, 1.0%), followed by egg (0.4%), fish (0.3%), and non-peanut legumes (0.3%). IgE-mediated FA predominated (1.5%); non-IgE-mediated and mixed FA accounted for 0.4% and 0.1%, respectively. Anaphylaxis prevalence was 0.7%. Conclusions : Parental report substantially overestimated clinically relevant FA. This first population-based, OFC-confirmed estimate in Algerian preschool-aged children underscores the diagnostic value of OFC and highlights a culprit-food profile influenced by regional dietary exposure.
Keywords
Food allergy ; oral food challenge ; preschool children ; prevalence
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