Allergic rhinitis in children.
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is common in children. The prevalence has been reported to be 20-40% in the pediatric population worldwide. The cause and risk factors for the development of AR are incompletely defined but involve both genetic and environmental elements. Although allergic rhinitis is seldom a severe or life threatening disease, it can have profound effects on daily living and development of a child. AR has multiple comorbidities and is closely related to asthma and atopic dermatitis. Often the child's parents will concentrate on comorbid diseases only and will not mention or be concerned by symptoms of their child's allergic rhinitis. Diagnosis of AR is made by a combination of history and physical exam. The causative allergens are identified by allergy testing. Allergy testing is done in vivo (skin testing) or in vitro (Rast testing). Treatment ofAR can include allergen avoidance, pharmacotherapy and immunotherapy. All three therapies are effective and safe in children.
Sanford
Thomas
T
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, USA. tsanfor2@slu.edu
D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists