European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: Allergic diseases affects lives of more than one billion people worldwide(1).
Aeroallergen sensitization can be evaluated using either skin testing or measuring
specific IgE to these aeroallergens. Skin prick testing (SPT) is an easy, cost-effective and
convenient approachto identify sensitization to allergens.
Objective: To determine the pattern of sensitization to various aeroallergens and
prevalence of atopy in children with respiratory allergy.
Method: We performed a hospital based prospective observational study, conducted at
Paediatric OPD, SantokbaDurlabhji Memorial Hospital, Jaipur, India. Total 140
children of age 6years to 18 years diagnosed with Respiratory allergy (Allergic rhinitis
& Asthma) were enrolled. Skin prick test using 18 aeroallergens(indoor & outdoor)
were performed as per standard protocol.
Result: Among the total cases around 77% (n=108) were having positive skin test for
one or more allergens, most common allergens were HDM (35%), cockroach
(32.2%),Mosquito (32.1%), Grain dust (22.1%) and Heloptelia (20%).
Conclusion: SPT is the most convenient, cost-effective, sensitive and standardized
method for detecting allergen sensitivity and should be used in all children with allergic
disorders to demonstrate the atopy. More than 50% of children in our study had
sensitization to one or more aeroallergens suggesting atopy; sensitization was most
commonly seen to HDM antigen.