Sensitization to indoor allergens in children with bronchial asthma

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Children with asthma have a high prevalence of environmental allergies. Sensitization to various allergens, especially to indoor allergens is crucial for effective measures for asthma management. Indian data on allergic sensitization in children is scarce, necessitating the need of the study. METHODS: A Cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the indoor allergen sensitization in 100 asthmatic children aged 5 to 15 yrs. They underwent skin prick test for indoor allergen house dust mite cockroach, cat, dog dander, house fly, candida, aspergillus, and mosquito. RESULTS: In the study sensitization to house dust mite was 93%. 39% were sensitized to Candida 36% to cockroach,23% housefly and 22%to dog dander and Aspergillus and 13% to mosquito and cat dander. Allergen sensitivity rate for atleast one allergen was 94% which was significant. Mean No. of allergens for which sensitization was seen is 2.57±1.77. Comorbidities were present in 35% of cases.7% had urticarial and allergic conjunctivitis each. CONCLUSION: Asthmatic children showed high sensitization to indoor allergen and the most common allergen found was house dust mite

Keywords

• indoor allergen
• sensitization
• skin-prick test