Retrospective evaluation of aeroallergenic susceptibility changes in childhood allergic diseases by years

Introduction:The incidence of allergic diseases has increased dramatically in recent years and affects about 30-35% of the population in developed countries.It is known that allergic diseases cause employee disability, lack of performance in schools and general loss of quality of life. Atopy is an inherited condition characterized by the production of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in response to small amounts of environmental proteins such as pollen, house dust mite and food allergens. The presence of atopy in an individual may be associated with one or more allergic diseases (atopic dermatitis, asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, food allergy, etc.). Diagnosis of allergic diseases is made by history, physical examination findings, skin tests and the presence of allergen-specific IgE in serum.The most commonly used skin test is the skin prick test. Detection and avoidance of allergy which is the first step in the treatment of allergic diseases; it prevents disease development in sensitized individuals and reduces morbidity. Subjects and Methods:Children between the ages of 2 and 18 years who were admitted to the Pediatric Allergy Outpatient Clinic of Ege University Faculty of Medicine Children's Hospital between 2011-2012 and 2017-2018, who had a history of atopy or allergic disease and were susceptible to at least one aeroallergen on skin prick test were included in the study. Patient's age, sex, region of life, birth week, birth weight, family history of atopy, number of siblings, number of children, diagnosis, number and percentage of blood eosinophils, total and specific IgE levels, sensitivity to aeroallergens in skin prick test were analyzed retrospectively. Results:Patients included in the study were classified as 1st and 2nd groups (2011-2012 years 1st group, 2017-2018 years 2nd group).The median age of the patients included in the study was 10 (6,00). 1086 (65,4%) of the patients were male.The birth weight was <2500 g in 169 (10,2%) patients.There were 1481(89,2%)patients living in urban areas and 179(10,8%)patients in rural areas.1245 (75%) patients had history offamily atopy.The median number of siblings was 1 (1,00).604 (36,4%)patients had smoking exposure. In group 2, first child status and family atopy were higher than in group 1, but was not statistically significant.In the first group, the number of allergic rhinitis, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma and wheezy child were the same (239 patients, 38,89%).In the second group, allergic rhinitis and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis were 47,3% and asthma and wheezing children were 33,94%.The median total IgE value was 220 kU/L (429,60).The median value of allergen-specific IgE was 9,44 (34,87) PAU/L and was positive in 972 (90,3%) patients. The median eosinophil count was 270 (339)/mm3 and the median percentage was %3,51 (4,16).562(43,9%)patients had eosinophilia.There was no significant change in sensitivity compared to years.Pollen mixture was the most sensitive in both groups. Pollen sensitivity was found in 451(73,5%)patients in the first group and 755(72,2%)patients in the second group. Conclusion: When the patients with atopy were evaluated according to the results of SPT at 5-year intervals, the highest aeroallergen sensitivity was against pollen in both groups.There was an increase in catdanders sensitivity over the years, but this was not statistically significant. The increase in susceptibility to house dust mites, olive tree pollen, alternaria, and cockroach was significant over the years. Key Words: Alergic disease;atopy; children; risk factors;skin prick test; change over years