title: Clinical characteristics of pediatric patients evaluated for primary immunodeficiency.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  When to evaluate a child for possible immune deficiency is a challenge, as many children have frequent infections for which they are treated with antibiotics. We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of children evaluated for possible primary immunodeficiency in a specialist clinic. We specifically aimed to evaluate widely promulgated 'warning signs of primary immunodeficiency' and to evaluate the relationship between primary immunodeficiency and atopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis of 141 children who underwent testing for possible primary immunodeficiency was undertaken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-two (23%) children were diagnosed with an underlying primary immunodeficiency, and published warning signs were neither sensitive nor specific for primary immunodeficiency. Patients with allergy as determined by the presence of antigen-specific IgE were more likely to be diagnosed with immunodeficiency.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Widely promulgated warning signs did not distinguish between patients with and without primary immunodeficiency. Likewise, primary immunodeficiency and allergy may coexist.
authors: Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. Andrew.MacGinnitie@Childrens
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: MacGinnitie
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Aloi
authors: Seema
authors: S
authors: Mishra
mesh_terms: D000361:Agammaglobulinemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017074:Common Variable Immunodeficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D017098:IgA Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D017678:Sex Distribution
chemical_list: D007073:Immunoglobulin E