Abstract
Sensitization to Inhalant Allergens in Children Under Three Years
Abstract
Background: Recent studies indicate that allergic sensitization may initiate during infancy, encompassing sensitivities to inhalant allergens.
Objective: The goal of this study is to assess the importance and patterns of sensitization to airborne allergens in children younger than three years old.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 14 children aged between 12 and 36 months who had confirmed sensitization to at least one inhalant allergen. The sensitization was verified through skin prick testing (SPT) and/or serum-specific IgE testing. We evaluated clinical symptoms, comorbid conditions, and the family history of atopy.
Results: The study included 14 children (8 males, 6 females; mean age: 22 months). The most common presenting symptom was wheezing (92%), followed by eczema exacerbations (14%) and allergic rhinitis (7.1%). A first-degree family history of atopy was identified in 52% of the cohort. Within the individuals, 9 (64.2%) were found to be sensitive to ragweed allergens, while 4 patients (28.5%) demonstrated sensitivity to dust mite allergens (D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae), which were the most common allergens.
Conclusion: Sensitization to airborne allergens in children under three years is linked to significant symptoms and family atopy. Early detection can guide interventions that change the atopic trajectory.
Keywords
References
- Roduit, C., Frei, R., Depner, M., et al. Development of atopic dermatitis according to age of onset and association with earlylife exposures. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2014,133,1056–1064.e7. 2-Liu, A. H., Jaramillo, R., Sicherer, S. H., et al. National prevalence and risk factors for food allergy among children in the United States. Pediatrics 2010,126, e1549, e1557.
- Illi S, von Mutius E, Lau S, Niggemann B, et al. Multicentre Allergy Study (MAS) group. Perennial allergen sensitisation early in life and chronic asthma in children: a birth cohort study. Lancet 2006, 26;368:763-70.
- von Mutius E, Schmid S; PASTURE Study Group. The PASTURE project: EU support for the improvement of knowledge about risk factors and preventive factors for atopy in Europe. Allergy 2006, 61:407-13
- Xing, Y., Yang, X., Li, Z. et al. Advancing Understanding of Childhood Asthma: Lessons Learned from Birth Cohort Studies. Clinic Rev Allerg Immunol 2024, 66, 50–63.
- Brussee JE, Smit HA, van Strien RT, Corver K, Kerkhof M, Wijga AH, et al.Allergen exposure in infancy and the development of sensitization, wheeze, and asthma at 4 years. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2005 May;115(5):946-52.
- Cullinan P, MacNeill SJ, Harris JM, Moffat S, White C, Mills P, Newman Taylor AJ. Early allergen exposure, skin prick responses, and atopic wheeze at age 5 in English children: a cohort study. Thorax. 2004 Oct;59(10):855-61.
- Harris JM, Williams HC, White C, et al. Early allergen exposure and atopic eczema. Br J Dermatol 2007,156:698-704
- Martinez FD, Wright AL, Taussig LM, et al. Asthma and wheezing in the first six years of life. The Group Health Medical Associates. N Engl J Med 1995 19;332:133-8
- Sauvere M, Lejeune S, Chagnon F, et al. Home exposure to moisture and mold is associated with poorer asthma control in children: CHAMPIASTHMA study. J Allergy Clin Immunol Glob 2025, 17;4:100415.
- Haider S, Granell R, Curtin JA, et al. Identification of eczema clusters and their association with filaggrin and atopic comorbidities: analysis of five birth cohorts. Br J Dermatol 2023, 20;190:45-54.
- Douwes J, van Strien R, Doekes G, Smit J, Kerkhof M, et al.Does early indoor microbial exposure reduce the risk of asthma? The Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy birth cohort study. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2006 May;117(5):1067-73.
- Burbank AJ, Sood AK, Kesic MJ, Peden DB, Hernandez ML. Environmental determinants of allergy and asthma in early life. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2017 Jul;140(1):1-12
- Simpson A, Soderstrom L, Ahlstedt S, Murray CS, Woodcock A, Custovic A. IgE antibody quantification and the probability of wheeze in preschool children. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2005 Oct;116(4):744-9.
- Marinho S, Simpson A, Söderström L, Woodcock A, Ahlstedt S, Custovic A. Quantification of atopy and the probability of rhinitis in preschool children: a population-based birth cohort study. Allergy. 2007 Dec;62(12):1379-86.
Abstract
Sensitization to Inhalant Allergens in Children Under Three Years
Abstract
Background: Recent studies indicate that allergic sensitization may initiate during infancy, encompassing sensitivities to inhalant allergens.
Objective: The goal of this study is to assess the importance and patterns of sensitization to airborne allergens in children younger than three years old.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 14 children aged between 12 and 36 months who had confirmed sensitization to at least one inhalant allergen. The sensitization was verified through skin prick testing (SPT) and/or serum-specific IgE testing. We evaluated clinical symptoms, comorbid conditions, and the family history of atopy.
Results: The study included 14 children (8 males, 6 females; mean age: 22 months). The most common presenting symptom was wheezing (92%), followed by eczema exacerbations (14%) and allergic rhinitis (7.1%). A first-degree family history of atopy was identified in 52% of the cohort. Within the individuals, 9 (64.2%) were found to be sensitive to ragweed allergens, while 4 patients (28.5%) demonstrated sensitivity to dust mite allergens (D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae), which were the most common allergens.
Conclusion: Sensitization to airborne allergens in children under three years is linked to significant symptoms and family atopy. Early detection can guide interventions that change the atopic trajectory.
Keywords
References
- Roduit, C., Frei, R., Depner, M., et al. Development of atopic dermatitis according to age of onset and association with earlylife exposures. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2014,133,1056–1064.e7. 2-Liu, A. H., Jaramillo, R., Sicherer, S. H., et al. National prevalence and risk factors for food allergy among children in the United States. Pediatrics 2010,126, e1549, e1557.
- Illi S, von Mutius E, Lau S, Niggemann B, et al. Multicentre Allergy Study (MAS) group. Perennial allergen sensitisation early in life and chronic asthma in children: a birth cohort study. Lancet 2006, 26;368:763-70.
- von Mutius E, Schmid S; PASTURE Study Group. The PASTURE project: EU support for the improvement of knowledge about risk factors and preventive factors for atopy in Europe. Allergy 2006, 61:407-13
- Xing, Y., Yang, X., Li, Z. et al. Advancing Understanding of Childhood Asthma: Lessons Learned from Birth Cohort Studies. Clinic Rev Allerg Immunol 2024, 66, 50–63.
- Brussee JE, Smit HA, van Strien RT, Corver K, Kerkhof M, Wijga AH, et al.Allergen exposure in infancy and the development of sensitization, wheeze, and asthma at 4 years. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2005 May;115(5):946-52.
- Cullinan P, MacNeill SJ, Harris JM, Moffat S, White C, Mills P, Newman Taylor AJ. Early allergen exposure, skin prick responses, and atopic wheeze at age 5 in English children: a cohort study. Thorax. 2004 Oct;59(10):855-61.
- Harris JM, Williams HC, White C, et al. Early allergen exposure and atopic eczema. Br J Dermatol 2007,156:698-704
- Martinez FD, Wright AL, Taussig LM, et al. Asthma and wheezing in the first six years of life. The Group Health Medical Associates. N Engl J Med 1995 19;332:133-8
- Sauvere M, Lejeune S, Chagnon F, et al. Home exposure to moisture and mold is associated with poorer asthma control in children: CHAMPIASTHMA study. J Allergy Clin Immunol Glob 2025, 17;4:100415.
- Haider S, Granell R, Curtin JA, et al. Identification of eczema clusters and their association with filaggrin and atopic comorbidities: analysis of five birth cohorts. Br J Dermatol 2023, 20;190:45-54.
- Douwes J, van Strien R, Doekes G, Smit J, Kerkhof M, et al.Does early indoor microbial exposure reduce the risk of asthma? The Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy birth cohort study. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2006 May;117(5):1067-73.
- Burbank AJ, Sood AK, Kesic MJ, Peden DB, Hernandez ML. Environmental determinants of allergy and asthma in early life. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2017 Jul;140(1):1-12
- Simpson A, Soderstrom L, Ahlstedt S, Murray CS, Woodcock A, Custovic A. IgE antibody quantification and the probability of wheeze in preschool children. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2005 Oct;116(4):744-9.
- Marinho S, Simpson A, Söderström L, Woodcock A, Ahlstedt S, Custovic A. Quantification of atopy and the probability of rhinitis in preschool children: a population-based birth cohort study. Allergy. 2007 Dec;62(12):1379-86.
Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Health Services and Systems (Other) |
| Journal Section | Articles |
| Authors | |
| Publication Date | June 27, 2025 |
| Submission Date | May 26, 2025 |
| Acceptance Date | June 19, 2025 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2025 Volume: 11 Issue: 2 |
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