001359 - Assessment of Knowledge, Skills, and Habits Regarding Label Reading and Meal Ingredient Review Among Parents and/or Caregivers of Children Aged 0-5 Years with Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy

Cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA) is a condition with a highly variable clinical course, ranging from potentially life-threatening immediate reactions to chronic presentations, and it can substantially affect the quality of life of both patients and their families. Elimination of the offending food is the cornerstone of treatment. Practices related to label reading and meal ingredient review vary across countries. This study aimed to determine the current status of knowledge, skills, and habits regarding food label reading and meal ingredient review among parents and/or caregivers of children aged 0–5 years with CMPA.

A total of 119 children aged 0–5 years who were followed up for CMPA at the Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, and their families were included. Clinical and laboratory characteristics of the patients were evaluated. Parents and/or caregivers completed questionnaires designed to assess their current knowledge, skills, and habits related to identifying milk/milk products on food labels. In addition, satisfaction with and adherence to the prescribed milk/milk product elimination diet were assessed.

Median objective knowledge score for caregivers was 73.4 (IQR: 68.8–76.6), and median subjective knowledge score was 70.0 (IQR: 55.0–80.0), with no significant difference between them (p=0.203). The median subjective skill score was 100.0 (IQR: 50.0–100.0). Subjective habit scores for both day and meal frequency were 100.0 (IQR: 50.0–100.0). In the TSQM-9 scale evaluating satisfaction with milk/milk product–restricted diet, median scores for Effectiveness, Convenience, and Global Satisfaction were 77.8 (IQR: 65.3–77.8), 50.0 (IQR: 38.9–61.1), and 50.0 (IQR: 41.7–63.9), respectively, with a median total score of 56.0 (IQR: 48.0–64.0). Adherence assessed with the Modified Morisky Scale had a median score of 66.7 (IQR: 50.0–83.3).

In this study we report the benefits of questionnaires in evaluating the knowledge, skills, and habits regarding the milk/milk-product content of foods, as well as label reading and ingredient review of the caregivers of children with CMPA. Future studies should focus on the issue with larger patient groups with IgE mediated CMPA. These studies can be performed in patients with other food allergies as well.