title: The natural history of chronic urticaria in childhood: a prospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are few prospective studies on the natural course of chronic urticaria (CU) in children.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to examine the natural history of CU in children and to identify predictors for remission.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children 4 to 15 years of age with CU were investigated with a complete blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, antinuclear antibody titer, complement CH50 level, thyroid studies, autologous serum skin test, skin-prick tests, food challenges, and stool examination for parasites. They were considered to be in remission if symptoms did not recur for at least 12 months without medication.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 92 children (53.3% female) with CU were recruited and followed up for a median duration of 4.3 years (range 2.5-5.8 years). Chronic autoimmune urticaria (CAU) was identified in 40% of the patients. Food allergy was found in 8.7% and parasitic infestations in 5.4%. Remission rates at 1, 3, and 5 years after the onset of CU symptoms were 18.5%, 54%, and 67.7%, respectively. The remission rate did not differ in CAU compared with non-CAU. No predictor of CU remission was identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The basophil histamine release assay was not performed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children with CU have a favorable outcome. CAU did not have an intractable course.
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Srinakarinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Somboon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chansakulporn
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Sureerat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pongpreuksa
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Preeda
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sangacharoenkit
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Punchama
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pacharn
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Nualanong
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Visitsunthorn
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Pakit
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vichyanond
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. Electronic address: siojr@mahidol.ac.th.
authors.forename: Orathai
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Jirapongsananuruk
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000379:methods; D014581:Urticaria / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies
keywords: autologous serum skin test; autoreactivity; children; chronic spontaneous urticaria; chronic urticaria; food allergy; natural course; remission