Abstract
BACKGROUND: Infants and young children with atopic dermatitis (AD) are at grate risk of developing respiratory allergy later in life with rhinitis, eye symptoms, and sometimes asthma. The aim of our study was to describe the sensitization patterns to inhalants in our young patients with AD and to assess the relation between early sensitization to aeroallergens and the development of respiratory allergy. METHODS: 80 children diagnosed of AD, aged from 11 to 34 months, were included (51 male and 29 female). Seventy two of these 80 were followed up to 7 years of age. Except a clinical examination, total IgE level was investigated by ELISA, and analysis of specific IgE antibodies to aeroallergens was performed with MAST CLA Allergen specific IgE Assay. Nonparametric tests were used in comparative analysis. RESULTS: 79% of our infants with AD had increased level of total IgE (mean: 387 kU/L). Sensitization to inhalant allergens was determined in 52 atopic dermatitis children (65%). The most relevant results were: 39 patients (48.8%) were sensitized to pets, 36 patients (45.0%) were sensitized to house-dust mites, 25 patients (31.3%) were sensitized to pollen, 17 patients (21.5%) were sensitized to molds. During the follow up, 48% of patients developed asthma and 52% allergic rhinitis. The mean age of respiratory allergy onset was 29.8 ± 3.9 months. At the end of our study the cumulative prevalence of respiratory allergy symptoms was significantly higher in children with inhalant sensitization compared to children without sensitization to aeroallergens (71% vs 18%, P < 0.001). The risk of asthma in that group also was significantly higher (68% vs 14%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Early sensitization to aeroallergens in AD children is associated with increased risk of development of respiratory allergic symptoms later in life.