Prick Skin Test Results in Children Less Than Three Years-Old

Objective: Allergic diseases can be identified as asthma, atopic dermatitis and rhinitis in early childhood. Skin prick test is not used routinely for determination of allergic disease in early life. In this study, we evaluated prick skin test results children younger than three years-old. Patients and Methods: One hundred and three children aged less than three years that were on follow up at Çukurova University, Pediatric Allergy-Immunology Division were included in this study. There were 55 boys and 48 girls with a mean age of 18.48 ± 8.62 months. Asthma was identified in 69 cases (67%), atopic dermatitis in 32 (31%) and rhinitis in 12 cases (11%). Onset age and duration of the disease, history of infection at the beginning of the disease, parental smoking, duration of breast feeding, heating system were evaluated. Serum total IgE levels, phadiatop (Pharmacia, CAP system, Sweden) and skin prick test (Allergopharma, Germany) were investigsted. Results: Fifty three (51%) patients had positive skin test at least to one allergen. Mites (D. Pteronyssinus or D. farinea) were found to be major allergen (27%). Foods, pollens and mold mixture were determined as sensitising agent in 19 (18%), 18 (17%) and 11 (10%) cases respectively. Foods were major allergen in infants whose disease had started before 12 months. Inhalant allergens were seen more commonly in children that age of onset and duration of disease were more than 12 months. Serum Ig E level was found to be high in 36 cases who had positive prick test. Phadiatop was positive in 27 infants and 7 of these cases had negative skin test. Conclusion: We found that allergen hypersensitivity was more common in infants with asthma and other allergic diseases. Prick skin test can be used for determination of different allergens and infantile asthma may be prevented by early controlling exposure to allergens

Adverse cutaneous reactions to drugs in childhood [Çocukluk çaginda i·laca bagli deri döküntüleri]

Cutaneous advers reactions are not uncommon, affecting 2-3 percent of hospitalised patients. There is a wide spectrum of cutaneous adverse reactions ranging from transitory exanthematous rash to the potentially fatal toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). Drug reactions are not confined to skin but other organs like liver, intestine, central nervous system, joints and bone marrow can also be affected. In this review, we wanted to emphasize the drug eruptions occuring during the treatment of children and their management

Kistik fibrozis-dişi bronşektazili çocuklarin klinik ve radyolojik özellikleri

İnal A, Karakoç GB, Yilmaz M, Altintaş DU, Kendirli SG. (Department of Pediatrics, çukurova University Faculty of Medicine, Adana, Turkey). The clinical and radiologic features of children with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. Çocuk Sagligi ve Hastaliklari Dergisi 2009; 52: 20-24. Bronchiectasis is still an important problem in developing countries. The aims of the present study were to document the clinical, demographical and radiologic features of children with non-cystic bronchiectasis and to evaluate the relationship between bronchiectasis distribution severity scores obtained from high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan and pulmonary function tests. Age of symptom onset, age of diagnosis, frequency of presenting symptoms, physical examination findings, pulmonary function tests, and affected lobes in HRCT were evaluated; in addition, using HRCT, each lobe was scored separately to obtain a bronchiectasis distribution severity score. The cause could not be determined in 17 patients (30.9%); immunodeficiency was detected in 11 (20%) and infections in 9 (16.4%) patients as a cause of bronchiectasis. The most common presenting symptoms were cough and sputum expectoration. The most common affected lobe was the left lower lobe, and 21 patients (38.2%) had three or more lobe involvement. The anatomic extent scores obtained from HRCT scans were significantly correlated with forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) (r= -0.58, p<0.001) and MEF 25-75 (r= -0.56, p<0.001). Early diagnosis and treatment of bronchiectasis will increase the quality of life of patients and decrease the complications of this irreversible process

A case of latex allergy caused by hypersensitivity to spacer with mask in a 6-year-old boy with asthma [Alti yaşinda astimli erkek bir hastada araci tüp maskesine bagli gelişen lateks alerjisi]

The prevalence of latex allergy in children is increasing worldwide. Contact urticaria is a type I hypersensitivity reaction mediated by immunoglobulin E that usually manifests as localized erythema, edema, pruritus, and urticarial plaques. It can also cause systemic reactions, including anaphylaxis. In this report, we describe a child with asthma who was found to have type I hypersensitivity to rubber by prick test. A six-year-old boy was admitted to our clinic with complaints of erythema, pruritus, and urticarial plaques on the edge of his mouth for the previous 10 days. Latex allergy was suspected. Skin prick test showed a positive reaction to latex. Physicians should be aware of latex allergy in atopic children, especially in those using spacer with a mask

Is there any relationship between asthma and asthma attack in children and atypical bacterial infections; Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Helicobacter pylori

PubMedID: 17535826Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by variable airway obstruction and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. There are many factors affecting the development and severity of childhood asthma such as genetic predisposition, atopy, environmental factors, obesity, diet, socioeconomic status, and infectious triggers. In the present study we aimed to investigate the frequency of Mycdoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Helicobacter pylori infections in asthmatic children. We investigated also whether there is a relationship between these agents and asthma attacks. Material and methods: Seventy-nine asthmatic children (46 males, aged 5-15 years) were included in study. The study group was divided into two groups: group 1 consisted of 37 children with asthma attacks and group 2 consisted of 42 children with stable asthma. As a control group we studied 36 healthy children. Pulmonary function tests, skin prick tests for common allergens were performed; serum total IgE, phadiatop, specific IgM and IgG antibody levels (ELISA) for M. pneumoniae, C. pneumoniae and H. pylori were measured in all patients. Results: Mycoplasma IgM and Chlamidia IgM were positive in 8.1% (3 patients) and 18.9% (7 patients) of group 1 patients, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference for Mycoplasma IgM (p = 0.031) and Chlamidia IgM (p = 0.03) between group1 and other two groups. We have not found significant difference for M. pneumoniae IgG, C. pneumoniae IgG and H. pylori IgM and IgG among groups. Conclusion: M. Pneumoniae and C. Pneumoniae may play a role in development of asthma exacerbations in childhood. We could not find a relationship between H. Pylori and asthma. © The Author [2007]. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved

Comparison of conventional and rush immunotherapy with der PI in childhood respiratory allergy

PubMedID: 11022267Background: rush immunotherapy results obtained in Der PI-sensitive children with asthma and the changes in clinical and immunological parameters were investigated. Methods: we studied 18 patients with Der PI sensitivity. Two groups were randomized: nine patients received RIT and nine patients received conventional immunotherapy (CIT) for three years. The RIT group reached the optimal maintenance dose at the end of one week. The CIT group reached the optimal maintenance dose in approximately three months. Symptom medication scores, lung function, side effects scores, skinprick test, diluted skin-prick test with Der PI, bronchial provocation tests with Der PI, and Der PI-specific IgE and IgG4 were investigated in baseline conditions, at six months and at the end of the third year. Results: there were no significant differences between groups in age, sex, and duration of illness. Treatment was tolerated very well. However, mean side-effect scores were higher in the RIT group than in the CIT group (p < 0.005). There were no significant differences between groups in the other parameters. Conclusion: CIT is more advantageous than RIT in Der PI-sensitive children, although the maintenance dose was achieved more rapidly with RIT

Prevalence of and risk factors for atopic dermatitis: A birth cohort study of infants in southeast Turkey

PubMedID: 26589340Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is most common in the first year of life. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for AD in a birth cohort of infants from southeast Turkey. Methods: Adana Paediatric Allergy Research (ADAPAR) birth cohort study was derived from 1377 infants who were born in Cukurova University, Medical Hospital, Adana, Turkey between February 2010 and February 2011. At birth, a physical examination was performed, cord blood samples were taken, and the mother completed a baseline questionnaire that provided data on gestational conditions, family history of allergic diseases and environmental exposures. Follow-up visits scheduled at 3, 6, and 12 months included an infant physical examination and an extended questionnaire. Skin prick test was performed and food-specific IgE levels were measured at 6 and 12 months. Atopic dermatitis was diagnosed based on confirmatory examination by a physician. Results: Of the 1377 infants enrolled, 59 (4.3%) were diagnosed with AD as of 12 months. Maternal allergic disease (ORs 6.28, 95% CI 1.03-38.30; p = 0.046), maternal infection during gestation (ORs 3.73, 95% CI 1.25-11.09; p = 0.018), and presence of food allergy (ORs 13.7, 95% CI 3.07-61.0; p = 0.001) were identified as risk factors for AD. Breastfeeding and cord blood IgE levels were not identified as risk factors. Conclusions: In this cohort we found prevalence of AD as 4.3% during the first year of life. Positive family history of atopic diseases, prenatal infections and presence of food allergy are the risk factors for early presentation of AD. © 2015 SEICAP.Çukurova ÜniversitesiThis study was supported by a research Grant ( TF2010LTP17 ) from Çukurova University

An infant with severe leucocyte adhesion deficiency

PubMedID: 8827112A case of severe leucocyte adhesion deficiency occurred in a 6 1/2 -month-old boy whose parents were first-degree cousins. Evidence of the disease first became apparent with the late separation of the umbilical cord on the 20th day and with the later development of omphalitis. The most specific finding was the very low levels of CD18 and CD11, 0.44 and 0.15%, respectively. The boy died from sepsis which occurred as an extension of necrotic lesions on the ear and in the gluteal area

Prevalence of childhood allergic diseases in Adana, Southern Turkey

PubMedID: 9690752A study to determine the prevalence of childhood asthma and other allergic diseases was done in Adana, during the period between January 1993 and January 1994. The study has been carried out on 2334 children (48.5% boys). Asthma and the other allergic diseases were recognized in 23.6% of the children. The prevalence of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, wheezing, and atopic dermatitis were found to be 12.9, 8.8, 8.4, and 5.0%, respectively. The symptoms of respiratory allergic diseases (asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, wheezing) seemed to be significantly associated with the environmental factors. In conclusion, asthma and other allergic diseases constituted a major health problem for school children in Adana

Prevention of new sensitizations by specific immunotherapy in children with rhinitis and/or asthma monosensitized to house dust mite

PubMedID: 17460946Background: Previous studies have suggested that single-allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) may prevent sensitization to other airborne allergens in monosensitized children. We aimed to assess the prevention of new sensitizations in monosensitized children treated with single-allergen SIT injections in comparison with monosensitized patients given appropriate pharmacologic treatment for their disease. Methods: A total of 147 children with rhinitis and/or asthma monosensitized to house dust mite were studied; 45 patients underwent SIT with adsorbed extracts and 40 patients underwent SIT with aqueous extracts for 5 years. The control group was comprised of 62 patients given only pharmacologic treatment for at least 5 years. Skin prick tests, medication scores for rhinitis and asthma, and atopy scores according to skin prick tests were evaluated at the beginning and after 5 years of treatment. Results: All groups were comparable in terms of age, sex, and disease characteristics. At the end of 5 years, 64 out of 85 (75.3 %) in the SIT group showed no new sensitization, compared to 29 out of 62 children (46.7 %) in the control group (P = .002). There were no differences between the SIT subgroups with regard to onset of new sensitization (P = .605). The patients developing new sensitizations had higher atopy scores (P = .002) and medication scores for both rhinitis (P = .008) and asthma (P = .013) in comparison to patients not developing new sensitizations after 5 years of SIT. Conclusion: According to our data, SIT has the potential to prevent the onset of new sensitizations in children with rhinitis and/or asthma monosensitized to house dust mite. © 2007 Esmon Publicidad