Chenopodium album is a remarkable allergen pointing to allergic rhinoconjunctivitis in children

Abstract

Allergic rhinitis and asthma are highly related to indoor and outdoor allergens. A common weed, Chenopodium album is one of these outdoor aero-allergens. In the literature, data about specific characteristics of children with C. Album sensitization is limited. In this study, we aimed to evaluate demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with Chenopodium album sensitization in a cross-sectional study. The patients and two control groups included in the study were found to be sensitized to Chenopodium album following skin prick tests in an allergy clinic over a period of one year. The patients and control groups completed a questionnaire consisting of items regarding demographics and clinical characteristics. The frequency of Chenopodium album sensitizationwas 9.4% (47/502). The distribution of these patients diagnoses was: 48.9% allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC), 19.1% allergic rhinitis (AR), 12.8% ARC+asthma, 8.5% asthma, 4.3% asthma+AR. Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis was statistically higher than in the control groups (P: 0.008, P: 0.001). Allergic rhinitis symptoms and ocular symptoms occurred together in 51% during the pollination period of Chenopodium album, whereas 17% of the patients were asymptomatic between August-September. Forty percent of the patients had accompanying sensitization to animal dander (cat and/or dog dander), which was statistically high compared to control group 1 (P: 0.001). In conclusion, Chenopodium album sensitization is highly related to rhinoconjunctivitis. Children with ocular symptoms must be evaluated for Chenopodium album sensitization. These children can also be expected to have a high animal dander sensitization rate.