Comparable prevalence of aeroallergen sensitization among pediatric patients with allergic respiratory diseases

INTRODUCTION: Climate change may influence patterns of allergic sensitization in children. OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of aeroallergen sensitization in pediatric patients diagnosed with allergic rhinitis (AR) alone versus those diagnosed with both asthma and AR (asthma/AR). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a teaching hospital. Medical records of children aged 2-17 years, diagnosed with AR or asthma between January 2020 and December 2023, and with at least one positive sensitization test, were reviewed. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed for all study variables. RESULTS: A total of 216 children were included (mean age, 8.4 years; 65.7% male), divided into two groups: AR (107 cases) and asthma/AR (109 cases). Overall, 45 patients (20.8%) were monosensitized, with no significant difference between groups (p = 0.364). House dust mites were the most frequent allergens in both groups (p = 0.992), followed by cockroach and cat epithelium. Among pollens, oak and ash were the most common, with no significant differences between groups (all p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Sensitization to house dust mites predominated in both AR and asthma/AR patients. These findings contribute to current knowledge of the major aeroallergens involved in allergic sensitization among children with respiratory diseases.