ABSTRACT

Lifestyle and environmental factors are considered to play an important role in the large variations in the prevalence of symptoms of allergic rhinitis (AR) and allergen sensitization. The aim of the present study was to investigate allergen sensitivities together with clinical features and biochemical characteristics of urban children living in İstanbul.

A total of 2822 patients aged between 2 and 18 years living in Istanbul city center and diagnosed with AR in our allergy polyclinic were included in the study.

There were 1095 (38.8%) female and 1727 (61.2%) male patients. The most common susceptibility was to house dust mites, the second was to sweet vernal grass, and the third was to cocksfoot grass.

The present study demonstrated that house dust mite is the most common allergen in inner-city children with AR living in Istanbul. Screening house dust mite allergen in inner-city children may be a useful tool in the diagnosis, planning of allergy prevention, and immunotherapy of children suspected with respiratory allergies.