[Characterization of children younger than five years with suspected allergic diseases].

[Characterization of children younger than five years with suspected allergic diseases].

Rev Alerg Mex. 2018 Jan-Mar;65(1):52-60

Authors: Vásquez LM, Olaya M, Cleves D, Ramírez-Zuluaga LF, Serrano C

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Symptoms of allergic diseases are a common cause of consultation during childhood.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the profile of a population of Colombian preschool children seen in an allergology department and assess possible risk factors.
METHODS: Descriptive, cross-sectional study of patients younger than 5 years who were assessed for one year. A complete medical history was obtained and allergology workup was carried out with skin prick tests as appropriate for each case. Risk factors were assessed by means of multivariate analysis.
RESULTS: A total of 674 patients were included, out of which 382 (52.7%) were males. Median age was 34 months. The reasons for consultation were cough or recurrent wheezing (54.3%), rhinitis (48.7%), and eczema (32.2%). Skin prick tests were performed with aeroallergens in 299 patients (48%) and with food in 170 (27%), with positivity being found in 114 (38%) and 16 (9.4%), respectively. Main sensitizers were dust mites and egg. A direct association was found between eczema and prematurity (OR = 0.496; 95 % CI = 0.289-0.823)], between recurrent cough/wheezing and family history of allergy (OR = 1.837; 95 % CI = 1,306-2,586), and between recurrent cough/wheezing and history of bronchiolitis (OR = 2.646; 95 % CI = 1.812-3.886).
CONCLUSION: Respiratory symptoms represented the main cause of consultation. Dust mites were the most commonly identified allergens. Family history of allergy and bronchiolitis.

PMID: 29723941 [PubMed - in process]

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