Knowledge and practice of physicians and nutritionists regarding the prevention of food allergy

Background & aims: To evaluate the knowledge and practice of pediatricians, pediatric gastroenterologists, allergists and nutritionists regarding the primary prevention of food allergy.Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study that enrolled pediatricians (n = 80), pediatric gastroenterologists (n = 120), allergists (n = 100) and nutritionists (n = 220). A self-administered questionnaire concerning the current recommendations was used.Results: Despite the lack of current recommendations, 17.1% (n = 89) of all professionals, mainly nutritionists, recommended a maternal exclusion diet during pregnancy. More professionals in the sample group, 40.8% (n = 212), recommended a maternal exclusion diet during breastfeeding, and the rates of recommendation were higher in nutritionists and pediatricians compared to allergists and pediatric gastroenterologists (p < 0.001). Regarding the recommended timing of the introduction of complementary feeding, 41.9% (n = 218) of the professionals recommended modifying the age of introduction to prevent the development of food allergy. the majority of the professionals believed that prebiotics (61.2%; n = 318) and probiotics (44.4%; 231) prevent the development of food allergy. the recommended age of introduction for the main allergenic foods was 12 months.Conclusions: This study revealed that there are gaps in the knowledge of professionals about the primary prevention of food allergy. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Universidade Federal de São Paulo, BR-04039031 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, BR-04039031 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc