Prevalence of Inhalant Allergic Rhinitis in Children with Adenoid Hypertrophy: A Prospective Radioallergosorbent Test (Rast) Study

Abstract

Introduction:Children with allergic rhinitis are susceptible to adenoidal hypertrophy when compared to children with no allergies. We conducted this study to determine the prevalence of inhalant allergic rhinitis among children aged 2 to 10 years admitted for adenoidectomy by performing radioallergosorbent test (RAST). Material and Methods:75 children who underwent adenoidectomy at Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar were recruited prospectively. 41 (54.7%) were males and 34 (45.3%) were females with a mean age of 4.9±4.5 years. Blood samples were collected for total IgE and allergen specific IgE antibodies during preoperative assessment or during intravenous induction for general anesthesia. Results:34 (45.3%) out of 75 children had increased total IgE, 19 (25.3%) had positive allergen specific IgE antibodies and 7 (9.3%) had both positive. Snoring 73 (97.3%) was the most common symptom, followed by mouth breathing 72 (96%), nasal blockage 61 (81.5%), rhinorrhea 34 (45.3%) and sneezing 11 (14.7%). Association of nasal symptoms with total IgE and allergen specific IgE antibodies showed no statistical significance. Association of asthma 29 (38.7%), eczema 10 (13.3%) and family history 31 (41.3%) were also not statistically significant. Conclusion:The result of our study suggests high prevalence of allergy sensitization among children who underwent adenoidectomy but poorly correlated with nasal symptoms. However, snoring and mouth breathing were found to be statistically significant (p=0.01) and specific for adenoid hypertrophy in patients without allergic rhinitis. In addition, nasal blockage is more specific (p=0.02) for with normal total serum IgE levels.