Evaluation of clinical and demographic characteristics in children with aeroallergen sensitization: A study based on skin prick test results
Main Article Content
Keywords
Allergens, child, pollen, respiratory hypersensitivity, secale
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the demographic and clinical features of pediatric aeroallergen sensitization and seasonal symptom patterns, focusing on pollen.
Materials and methods: This retrospective single-center study included children aged 1–18 years who underwent standardized skin prick testing (SPT) between January 2020 and July 2021. Patients with chronic or immunological disorders other than asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR), and atopic dermatitis (AD) were excluded. Clinical and laboratory data, including symptom profiles, family atopy history, eosinophil counts, and total IgE, were extracted from records. Aeroallergen panels included pollens, house dust mites, molds, and animal dander. Comparisons were performed between monosensitized and polysensitized patients, and between those sensitized to pollen versus house dust mites.
Results: Of 2247 children tested, 2017 were eligible, and 500 (24.7%) with clinically relevant sensitization were analyzed (57% male; median age: 12 years, IQR: 8–15). Pollen was the most frequent sensitizer (78.6%), followed by house dust mites (36.6%). Within pollens, Poaceae predominated (98.1%), with Secale as the leading species (88.4%). Seasonal peaks of symptoms in pollen-sensitized patients occurred in May (31.8%), April (29.6%), and June (27%). Polysensitization was observed in 38.8%. AR was the most common diagnosis (83.2%), while asthma and AD were present in 36.4% and 34.0%, respectively. Pollen sensitization was significantly associated with AR (88% vs. 63%, p < 0.01) and sneezing (38% vs. 16%, p < 0.01), whereas house dust mite sensitization was more often linked with skin rashes (25.5% vs. 13%, p = 0.008). Patients with eosinophilia were younger, predominantly male, and more frequently diagnosed with AR (p < 0.001).
Conclusions: Pollen, particularly from the Poaceae family, was the predominant aeroallergen, and symptom timing matched seasonal pollen trends. Inclusion of region-specific pollens such as Secale in SPT panels is crucial for accurate sensitization detection and for guiding localized public health strategies.
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