Write a PREreview

This study aims to examine the prevalence of allergies in children from the city of Tirana to meats and seafood products using specific IgE testing. The focus is on identifying links between age groups and different allergens to better understand the distribution and characteristics of allergies in this population.Materials and Methods:The study involved children in three age groups: 0-3 years, 3-6 years, and 6-12 years. Data were collected for allergies to meats (such as beef, chicken, and pork) and seafood allergens (shellfish/mollusks, shrimp, lobster, tuna, and hake). Specific IgE tests were used to identify the presence of allergies. Correlations between age and allergen consumption were analyzed to assess possible links.Results:Beef is the most common allergen in all age groups, with increasing prevalence in the 6-12 year age group. The 6-12 year group has the highest number of positive cases for all allergens. The 0-3 and 3-6 year groups did not have positive cases for seafood allergens. In the 6-12 year group, positive cases were recorded for shellfish/mollusks, lobster, and tuna, while there were no positive cases for shrimp and hake.Statistical correlations with SPSS version 21: Correlations between age and positive IgE for meats are weak and not statistically significant. Stronger and statistically significant links were found between clam shell and tuna consumption, and between lobster and tuna consumption, suggesting that an increase in positive IgE values for tuna is linked to an increase in positive IgE for lobster and clam shell.Conclusions: The study shows a high prevalence of allergies to red meat and pork in children from the city of Tirana, with a noticeable increase in the 6-12 year age group. Seafood allergies are present only in the older age group and are strongly linked to the consumption of clam shell, lobster, and tuna. These results may help in identifying risk factors and better managing allergies in children.