Patterns of sensitisation to common food and inhalant allergens and allergic symptoms in pre-school children.

Abstract

AIM:

Sensitisation to allergens and allergy symptoms depends on age, but this relationship is poorly understood. We therefore investigated the effect of age on allergen sensitisation and allergy symptoms in pre-school children.

METHODS:

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 629 Korean children (age 3 to 6 years). Current allergic symptoms were assessed by the Korean version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire that was adapted for pre-school children. Sensitisation to five airborne and three food allergens was evaluated by a skin prick test. χ(2) test was used to analyse differences in age trend. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to obtain the adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for allergic disease.

RESULTS:

As age increased, the prevalence of current rhinitis (P < 0.001), the sensitisation to pollen allergens (P < 0.001) and polysensitised children (P = 0.002) increased, but the prevalence of current asthma (P = 0.010) and the sensitisation to food allergens (P = 0.009) decreased. There was no effect of age on the prevalence of current eczema (P = 0.685), monosensitised children (P = 0.282) and atopy (P = 0.160). The agreement between sensitisation to dust mites and atopy increased with age, and was 93% at age 6 years (P = 0.05). The polysensitisation (aOR = 3.0 (95% CI, 1.4-5.0), P < 0.005) and the presence of eczema in the first 2 years of life (aOR = 4.1 (95% CI, 2.2-7.6), P < 0.001) were significant independent risk factors for current rhinoconjunctivitis.

CONCLUSION:

The type and number of allergen sensitisations and allergic symptoms changed from age 3 to 6 years. Careful follow-up of changes in sensitisation patterns may provide a better understanding of the pathogenesis of the allergic march.

• Authors: Hyeong Yun Kim, Youn Ho Shin, Hye Yung Yum, Hye Mi Jee, Sun Jung Jang, Jung Won Yoon, Man Yong Han
• Journal: Journal of paediatrics and child health (J Paediatr Child Health) Vol. 49 Issue 4 Pg. 272-7 (Apr 2013) ISSN: 1440-1754 [Electronic] Australia
• PMID: 23510211 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2013 The Authors. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health © 2013 Paediatrics and Child Health Division (Royal Australasian College of Physicians).

Chemical References

• Allergens

Topics

• Age Distribution
• Allergens (adverse effects, immunology)
• Asthma (epidemiology, etiology, immunology)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Environmental Exposure (adverse effects)
• Female
• Food Hypersensitivity (diagnosis, epidemiology, immunology)
• Humans
• Inhalation
• Logistic Models
• Male
• Prevalence
• Republic of Korea (epidemiology)
• Respiratory Hypersensitivity (diagnosis, epidemiology, immunology)
• Skin Tests