Food allergy in children with asthma and its correlation with level of asthma control

BACKGROUND: There is paucity of regional data regarding food allergy among children with asthma. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the proportion of children with asthma who have food‐related respiratory symptoms and to correlate it with (a) skin prick test (SPT) results and (b) level of asthma control. METHODOLOGY: This cross‐sectional study involved children with asthma, aged ≥6 years attending the childhood asthma clinic in a tertiary care hospital, in the southern part of India from July 2017 to July 2019. Basic demography and clinical details were recorded. In subjects with a history of food allergy, skin prick test (SPT) was done using AllergoSPT according to guidelines recommended by British Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI). Asthma control was assessed using asthma control test (ACT) and childhood ACT questionnaires. RESULTS: Of the total 305 children included, the most commonly reported allergen was banana (45%, n = 137). The predominant symptom reported was wheezing (54%). SPT was positive in 76 children (24.9%). Level of asthma control (P value < .01), family history of atopy (P value < .01), and age at introduction of complementary foods (P value < .01) were significantly associated with food allergy. CONCLUSION: Presumed food allergy is seen in one‐fourth of children with asthma and significantly affects symptom control in them.