Sensitization to Aeroallergens on Skin Prick Tests in Atopic Children Living in the Southwest of Turkey
1University of Health Sciences Turkey, Antalya Training and Research Hospital, Clinic of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Antalya, Turkey
Eur Arch Med Res 2022; 38(4): 281-287 DOI: 10.4274/eamr.galenos.2022.37232
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Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to identify aeroallergens susceptibility patterns of atopic children living in the city of Antalya, southwest of Turkey.

Methods: One thousand seven hundred five patients (2-18 years) who applied to the pediatric allergy immunology outpatient clinic between April 2018-March 2020 were included in the study. The demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with at least one allergic sensitization in the skin prick test were evaluated.

Results: A total of 761 patients were evaluated, comprising 57.69% males and 42.31% females, with a median age of 9.25 years (range, 6.25-12.9 years). Of the total patients 54.01% had asthma (AS), 89.22% had allergic rhinitis (AR), (45.33%) had both AS and AR and 11.83% had atopic dermatitis. Sensitivity to house dust mites (HDMs) was the most common sensitivity (66.23%), followed by animal dander (39.68%) and cockroach (34.56%). Other allergens were grass pollen (32.33%), mold (31.54%), weed mixture pollen (29.04%), olive tree (27.86%), and tree mixture (14.98%), respectively. More than one allergen sensitization was detected in 537 (70.6%) patients. AR was more common in boys (p=0028). Pollen sensitivity was higher in children with AR than in children without AR (p<0.001).

Conclusion: In our study in which allergen sensitivity was determined in atopic children in our region, the most common allergens were HDMs, cockroachs and animal dander, which are indoor allergens.