Skin prick test reactivity in atopic children and their number of siblings

Abstract

Background Some studies have shown that low birth order is a risk factor for developing atopy, although these results remain inconclusive. Those studies put forth the hygiene hypothesis, which states that early childhood infections in siblings may protect against atopy. Hence, an inverse relationship between family numbers and atopy was found. Atopy may be diagnosed from a history of atopy in an individual or his family, and can be confirmed by specific IgE for allergens or positive skin prick tests. Objective To assess for an association between skin prick test reactivity in atopic children and their number of siblings. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in May to June 2010 in elementary school children at the Kampung Baru District, Medan Regency, North Sumatera. Subjects were divided into two groups. Group I had children with 3 siblings (75% and 53.1%, respectively; P=0.003). Conclusion Atopic children with 3 siblings.

Keywords

• skin prick test
• number of siblings
• atopy
• children