Study of Allergic Rhinitis in Childhood

Dimitrios G Balatsouras,George S Korres,Panayotis Ganelis,George Koukoutsis,Alexandros Fassolis,Antonis Kaberos

doi:10.1155/2011/487532

Dimitrios G Balatsouras, George S Korres + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/487532

Copy DOI

Abstract

Allergic rhinitis is common among children and quite often represents a stage of the atopic march. Although sensitization to food and airborne allergens may appear in infancy and early childhood, symptoms of the disease are usually present after age 3. The aim of this study was to determine the most frequent food and indoor and outdoor respiratory allergens involved in allergic rhinitis in children in the region of Piraeus. The study was performed in the outpatient clinic of otolaryngologic allergy of a general hospital. Fifty children (ranged 6–14 ) with symptoms of allergic rhinitis and positive radioallergosorbent test (RAST) for IgE antibodies or skin prick tests were included in the study. Thirty six (72%) of the subjects of the study had intermittent allergic rhinitis. The most common aeroallergens determined were grass pollens and Parietaria, whereas egg and milk were the food allergens identified. The detection of indoor and outdoor allergens in the region of Piraeus, based on skin prick tests and RAST tests, showed high incidence of grasses and food allergens, which is similar to other Mediterranean countries.

Highlights

Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common disorders, which affects 5–40% of population, according to various reports [1, 2]
Allergic rhinitis is common among children and quite often represents a stage of the atopic march [4]
Sensitization to food and airborne allergens may appear in infancy and early childhood, symptoms of the disease are usually present after age 3

Summary

Introduction

Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common disorders, which affects 5–40% of population, according to various reports [1, 2]. It may be classified as persistent and intermittent allergic rhinitis, depending on the frequency of symptoms. It presents a high morbidity because it affects social life, professional activities, and, especially in children, school performance [3].

Objectives

Methods

Conclusion