Food allergies rise sharply among children in Türkiye

Food allergies are increasing significantly among children in Türkiye, with a notable rise in prevalence over the last two decades. According to a pediatric allergy specialist, nearly one in six babies now exhibit some form of food allergy.

Research into IgE-mediated food allergies in the region indicates that the spectrum of allergies found in Turkish children and adolescents differs from those observed in many other parts of the world. This distinction is characterized by high rates of allergies to tree nuts and seeds.

Prevalence of Tree Nut and Seed Allergies

Tree nut allergies represent a primary concern across multiple childhood age groups in Türkiye. Data shows that these allergies are particularly prevalent among school-age children and adolescents.

Among school-age children, tree nut allergies were found in 55.3% of cases, ranking as the most common food allergy for this demographic. In adolescents, the prevalence of tree nut allergies was slightly higher, affecting 57.1% of the group.

The specific types of tree nuts contributing to these figures include hazelnuts and Anacardia nuts. The research highlights a high rate of seed allergies, specifically involving sesame.

Age-Specific Allergy Trends

The hierarchy of common allergens shifts during early childhood. For preschoolers, egg white allergies are the most frequent, affecting 60% of the group.

Tree nut allergies follow closely in preschoolers, appearing in 57.7% of cases, placing them second only to egg white allergies in this age bracket.

As children transition into school age and adolescence, the dominance of egg white allergies diminishes and tree nut allergies move into the primary position.