Prevalence of food sensitization and helminth infection among primary school children in Ibadan, southwest Nigeria

Background : Food allergy is a problem of the western world, however, cases of food allergy have also been found in developing countries. In Nigeria, the prevalence of food allergy is scarce while the association of food sensitization with helminthiasis is unknown. Objective : This study was designed to determine the prevalence of sensitization to food among Nigerian school children and its relation to intestinal helminthiasis. Methods : A total of 128 participants were recruited from CAC Primary School, Sango, Ibadan, Nigeria. Skin Prick Test using freshly prepared food allergens was carried out. Stool samples were collected from them to screen for ova of parasites using concentration method. Results : A total of 26 (20.3%) out of 128 participants were SPT positive for various food allergens, while 16 (12.5%) had helminthic infection. There was however an equal distribution of helminthic infection among students who were food allergen SPT positive and negative. There was also no association between gender and susceptibility to food allergy. Conclusion : Sensitization to food is common in school children, and intestinal helminthiasis seems to have no influence on its prevalence. Keywords : MPO, inflammatory response, neonates, sepsis.