Original Article. Sensitization to Aeroallergens in Pediatric Patients with Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma

Asthma and allergic rhinitis are common in childhood. Establishing sensitization to aeroallergens is crucial to effectively prevent exacerbation of these respiratory allergic diseases. The study aimed to evaluate sensitization to the most common aeroallergens in children with asthma and allergic rhinitis.We establishedacorrelation between patients sensitized to indoor, outdoor and simultaneously to both allergens. The study population consisted of 276 patients (168 boys and 108 girls) ages 4 to 16 years with asthma (A) and allergic rhinitis (AR). Skin prick tests were performed with 21 commercial allergen extracts: pollens, mites, epithelia and insects, and molds. We found that 217 patients were sensitized to at least one aeroallergen: 117 patients hadapositive result to mites, 92 to pollens, 72 to epithelia and insects, and 63 - to mold allergens. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus was the most prevalent aeroallergen. Sensitized only to indoor allergens were 104 patients, 60 - only to outdoor allergens, and 53 were sensitized to both. Mites were the most frequent aeroallergens in children with Aand AR. Lately there has been foundasignificant increase in rates of sensitization to mold allergens, especially to Alternaria alternata. Our study has confirmed the dominant role of indoor allergens in children with respiratory allergic diseases.