Preschool wheeze: pathogenetic factors

No Abstrac

Is there a role for inhaled corticosteroids in early life wheeze?

No Abstract

Anaphylaxis in children

Egypt J Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2007; 5(2): 47-5

COVID-19 in children: current data and future perspectives

No abstrac

Sea Food Allergy

Egypt J Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010;8(2):49-5

Fish sensitization in a group of allergic Egyptian children

Background: There are no published data on fish allergy in Egypt. Objective: We sought to screen for the frequency of fish sensitization in a group of atopic Egyptian infants and children in relation to their demographic and phenotypic data. Methods: We consecutively enrolled 87 allergic children; 1-15 years old (median 5.0 yr). The study measurements included clinical evaluation for the site and duration of allergy, possible precipitating factors, and family history of allergy as well as skin prick testing with a commercial fish extract, and serum fish specific and total IgE estimation. Results: Twelve subjects (13.8%) were sensitized to fish as evidenced by positive skin prick test (SPT) results; five (41.7%) of them gave a history suggestive of fish allergy compared to two (2.7%) of the non-sensitized children (p=0.00). The SPT results did not vary significantly with age, gender, family history of atopy, or serum total or fish specific IgE (SpIgE). Conclusion: Fish sensitization does not seem to be rare in atopic children in Egypt. It can be associated with any clinical form of allergy and the causal relationship needs meticulous evaluation. Wider scale population-based studies are needed to assess the prevalence of fish allergy and its clinical correlates in our country.Keywords: fish allergy; sensitization; skin prick test; specific IgE; children; EgyptEgypt J Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2013;11(1):23-2

Peanut sensitization in a group of allergic Egyptian children

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There are no published data on peanut sensitization in Egypt and the problem of peanut allergy seems underestimated. We sought to screen for peanut sensitization in a group of atopic Egyptian children in relation to their phenotypic manifestations.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We consecutively enrolled 100 allergic children; 2-10 years old (mean 6.5 yr). The study measurements included clinical evaluation for site of allergy, possible precipitating factors, consumption of peanuts (starting age and last consumption), duration of breast feeding, current treatment, and family history of allergy as well as skin prick testing with a commercial peanut extract, and serum peanut specific and total IgE estimation. Children who were found sensitized to peanuts were subjected to an open oral peanut challenge test taking all necessary precautions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Seven subjects (7%) were sensitized and three out of six of them had positive oral challenge denoting allergy to peanuts. The sensitization rates did not vary significantly with gender, age, family history of allergy, breast feeding duration, clinical form of allergy, serum total IgE, or absolute eosinophil count. All peanut sensitive subjects had skin with or without respiratory allergy.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Peanut allergy does not seem to be rare in atopic children in Egypt. Skin prick and specific IgE testing are effective screening tools to determine candidates for peanut oral challenging. Wider scale multicenter population-based studies are needed to assess the prevalence of peanut allergy and its clinical correlates in our country.</p

The value of cord serum interferon-gamma estimation in the prediction of first year allergies

Background: It was previously assumed that interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) underexpression in newly born infants could be a risk factor for atopic diseases. Objective: We sought to investigate the value of cord serum IFN-γ in the prediction of infantile allergy and its possible correlations with other relevant markers. Methods: Eighty mother-newborn pairs were enrolled consecutively at delivery. The family history of allergy was inquired about and then cord blood was tested for eosinophil and basophil counts and serum total IgE, IgD, and IFN-γ. The infants were followed up for one year for subsequent development of allergic disorders. Results: Twenty-eight infants (35%) developed first year allergies, of whom 19 (68%) had a positive family history of atopy. Atopic dermatitis constituted 57% of the forms of allergy detected. Cord serum IFN-γ concentration at birth was significantly lower in infants who developed allergies during the first year of life (2.8±2 pg/ml) as compared to those who did not (13.6±6.1 pg/ml, p &lt; 0.05). Only 11 cord serum samples (14%) contained detectable levels of total IgE. However, 64% of neonates with measurable cord serum IgE developed allergy subsequently. Cord serum IgD concentrations were below the detection limit (5 mg/L) of the method employed. Cord blood basophil, eosinophil and total leucocytic counts were negatively correlated to cord serum IFN-γ levels. Conclusions: Our findings imply that the family history of atopy is still the most important predictor of allergy. Estimation of cord serum IFN-γ in genetically predisposed babies might raise the predictive value.Keywords: IFN-γ; cord blood; prediction; allergy; Ig-E; Ig-D; eosinophils; basophils; infantsEgypt J Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2005; 3(1):10-1

Pertussis seroimmunity in mother-neonate pairs and other pediatric age groups from Egypt

Background: Despite the widespread availability of 2 classes of effective vaccines, whole cell and acellular, pertussis has resurged as a serious public health problem. We sought to investigate the pertussis immune status of mother-neonate pairs and children in our country where pertussis vaccination is obligatory. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 75 healthy full-term neonates and their mothers, 100 infants (2-24 months), 170 children (2-12 years) and 80 adolescents (12-18 years). Serum pertussis IgG was measured in all enrolled subjects. A positive titre was defined as &gt;24 U/ml. Results: Positive pertussis IgG levels were detected in 69 of the mothers (92%), in 63 of their newborns (84%). Seroimmunity to pertussis was positively noted in 55% of infants, 82.2% of preschool children, 77.5% of school-aged children and 75% in adolescents. Serum pertussis IgG titers among the neonates showed a significant positive correlation with the maternal titers (P=0.00001). Higher rates of pertussis seroimmunity was observed among residents in urban and suburban areas as compared to those living in rural areas (P&lt;0.05) . Conclusion: This pilot study may suggest the presence of sufficient pertussis seroimmunity rates in the studied age groups. Still, there were some failures in immune acquisition probably due to inefficient vaccination in some localities or waning of immunity with age. Wider scale studies would allow better insight into the pertussis immune status in our country and hence the need for booster immunization

Analysis of the filed data of a sample of Egyptian children with bronchial asthma

Background: Identification of the clinical profile of asthma in a community is crucial to the understanding of the growing disease burden. We sought to evaluate the clinical characteristics and management outcome of a sample of asthmatic children from Cairo city and its suburbs. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the data of 422 consecutively numbered files of asthmatic children from the Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Unit of Ain Shams University Children's Hospital. Data collected included the age at onset, duration of follow up, precipitating factors, feeding history, clinical severity, presence of other allergic diseases and outcome and course of the disease. This is besides the available results of laboratory and imaging studies and the treatment received including the routes and types of therapy. Results: The results revealed that 197 children (46.7%) had bronchial asthma only while 225 (53.3%) had concomitant allergic disorders. Males outnumbered females and urban residents outnumbered suburban and rural residents and all cases belonged to the low and middle social and economic community sectors. A positive family history of allergy in general was evident in about 40% of cases. Viral infection was the most common precipitating factor for exacerbations. Mild and moderate persistent asthma were more frequent than the severe variety (15.10%, 10.20%, and 1.50%). Serum total IgE and peripheral blood eosinophil counts were elevated and atopy was evident in most cases. Inhaled corticosteroid therapy was the most commonly prescribed treatment in the current study but compliance was generally poor. Conclusion: Wider scale multi-center studies in Cairo and other localities of Egypt are needed to outline the profile of childhood asthma in the whole country using a population rather than a referral center-based approach.Keywords: Pediatric asthma, risk factors, asthma grade, asthma triggers, smoking, residenceEgypt J Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2009;7(2):59-6