Early skin sensitization to aeroallergens.
BACKGROUND
Early detection of aeroallergen sensitization is important as a prognosis factor but may be more difficult in young children.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to demonstrate that skin sensitization to aeroallergens was present in a selected group of 0-2-year-old children and that it was associated with environmental exposure and a family history of allergic disease.


METHODS
Data on exposure and history were extracted from the files of 824 children seen in the asthma clinic and who were skin tested to a panel of aero- and food allergens.


RESULTS
Forty percent of our children demonstrated atopy, 28% were sensitized to aeroallergens, the majority of which to house dust mite. Higher sensitization rates were found in children with large weals to histamine (P<0.001) and in those who slept with soft toys [odds ratio (OR) 1.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-2.08]. With a definition of sensitization including the size of the weal to histamine, there was a negative association with a personal history of eczema only (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.45-0.99). There was no gender-dependent effect and no association with day-care attendance.


CONCLUSIONS
This is one of the largest studies to evaluate skin testing in a selected population of young children. We found a high prevalence of sensitization to aeroallergens, which was associated with exposure to soft toys. Further follow-up of this population will allow assessment of the predictive value of this sensitization.
de Bilderling
G
G
Service de Pédiatrie et de Pneumologie de l'enfant, Cliniques UCL de Mont-Godinne, Avenue Therasse, Yvoir, Belgium. georges.debilderling@pedi.ucl.ac.be
Mathot
M
M
Agustsson
S
S
Tuerlinckx
D
D
Jamart
J
J
Bodart
E
E
D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012882:Skin Tests
D000485:Allergens