Can sensitization to aeroallergens disappear over time in children with allergic disease?
BACKGROUND
Remittance of aeroallergen sensitization has been shown in population-based studies, but there is a common perception that sensitization to aeroallergens rarely if ever disappears in children with allergic disease.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed all specific IgE tests carried out in children aged 0-18 years at our hospital laboratory over a 14-year period. Of 3115 children sensitized to one or more aeroallergens, 244 (7.8%) were retested after a mean (SD) period of 45 (28) months at their physician's discretion.


RESULTS
Disappearance of sensitization to individual aeroallergens did occur, with remittance rates ranging from 3.1% for house dust mite to 17.5% for cat. However, complete remittance of aeroallergen sensitization was found in only one subject. In up to 35% of cases, remittance of sensitization was offset by the appearance of one or more new aeroallergen sensitizations. Remittance was only observed in children sensitized to multiple allergens (with a median of 3 aeroallergen sensitizations), and their median degree of sensitization was low (median 2.1 kU/L).


CONCLUSIONS
Aeroallergen sensitization can disappear in children with allergic disease, but only in polysensitized individuals. Complete remittance of sensitization to aeroallergens is rare in symptomatic children.
Jacobs
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KD
Princess Amalia Children's Clinic, Isala klinieken, Zwolle, The Netherlands.
Brand
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PL
D000293:Adolescent; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D010944:Plants / Q000276:immunology; D039981:Pyroglyphidae / Q000276:immunology; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E