A Descriptive Study on Aeroallergen Sensitivity Pattern in Children with Bronchial Asthma and/or Allergic Rhinitis

Abstract

Background The growing prevalence of allergy and asthma in India has become a major health concern, with symptoms ranging from mild rhinitis to severe asthma, and aeroallergens play a major role in the pathogenesis of reactive airway diseases. The distribution of aeroallergen and the knowledge of allergen sensitivity pattern in northern India (Rajasthan) are limited. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of various aeroallergens in children with bronchial asthma and/or allergic rhinitis by skin prick test at a tertiary care center in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. Methods Children who had presented to the Department of Pediatrics (outpatient department and inpatient department), Mahatma Gandhi Medical College, Jaipur, from January 2018 to June 2019 fulfilling the inclusion criteria, were included in this prospective study. A total of 15 antigens were used. Skin prick testing was performed as per standard protocol. Result Among total 60 children with respiratory allergic diseases, overall the highest percentage of skin prick test positivity was found among house dust mite (66.6%), storage mite (41.6%), wheat (33.3%), animal dander (30%), and Kentucky bluegrass (26.6%), in that order. Conclusion It is advised to avoid common inhaled allergens found with SPT in our region in children with allergic airway diseases.

Indian Guidelines for Diagnosis of Respiratory Allergy

“…In a study conducted in a tertiary care centre in Rajasthan including 60 children with respiratory allergic diseases between 5 and 15 years, overall highest percentage of SPT positivity was found among HDM (66.6%), storage mite (41.6%), wheat (33.3%), animal dander (30%), and Kentucky bluegrass (26.6%). 722 Another study performed amongst 180 children (5-18 years) in a tertiary care centre in North India demonstrated that 100 children (55.6%) were sensitized to at least one aeroallergen, suggesting atopy. 381 A crosssectional, observational study was conducted to study the type of allergic sensitivity in a pediatric population in Hyderabad and 67% of patients were found to be sensitive to aeroallergen but 33% had a negative SPT.…”

“…744,777 The literature reveals that the maximum number of allergens tested in children below 5 years of age were 5-15 (Table 16). 359,722 Some guidelines recommend the maximum number of skin tests which can be done at a time as 70 prick/puncture and 40 intra-cutaneous tests for inhalant allergens and ≤30 for patients who have a history of anaphylaxis during the The Indian Journal of Chest Diseases & Allied Sciences testing. 777 While others state that relatively small allergen panels (e.g., 8-12 inhalant allergens) would usually be considered adequate for the testing by general practitioners or in the respiratory laboratories.…”

“…Familial atopy. Patients of asthma and/or rhinitis has a positive family history of atopy 717,[722][723][724] While taking patients's history, occupational history, history of travel and number of affected body organs should also be considered. Additional parameters to be considered while choosing allergen for paediatric patients includes the following.…”