Allergic profile of asthmatic children in a coastal city in the west of Algeria

Allergic Profile of  asthmatic children in a coastal city  in the West of  Algeria

A. Benyounes *, A. Radoui **. * ANAP Algéria ** Society of Pediatrics West (Algeria)

Introduction: Several investigations have shown that 80-90% of children’s asthma are allergic. A good diagnosis of allergy comprising the elements for a criminal offense (s) allergen (s) is crucial to implement educational measures, preventive and therapeutic to achieve good asthma control. The purpose of this study is to determine the profile of allergic asthmatic children.

Method: This is a prospective study of 100 asthmatic children older than 4 years. A preconceived form is completed by the physician performing an allergy investigation including an interview, clinical examination and skin prick tests (PT). These were made with standardized extracts and by stallerpointes ® and interpreted in the usual procedure. Data entry and tabulation were done on the software Spss 10.

Results: All children had uncontrolled asthma with symptoms of allergic rhinitis. These children were living in a habitat rich in dust in 55% of cases, wet with poor ventilation in 50%, presence of plants and trees in 43% and cockroaches in 47% of cases. The symptoms occur mainly at home (81% of cases), per year in 30% of cases fall between February to May and in 35% of cases, in autumn only in 13% of cases in spring and summer in 12 % of cases. The PT was positive in 93% of cases, sensitization to dust mites is in first place (67%) followed by the olive tree (32%), cypress (29%), Parietaria (22%), 5 grasses (21%) , Alternaria (25%), dog (20%), cat (15%) and cockroach (15%).  The monsensibisation was found in 20% of cases, the majority were polysensitized with mites.

Discussion - comments: The mites are the main aero-allergen, in accordance with literature data.  Sensitization to pollen occupies the second place, this may be related with age bracket included in the study (children over 4 years). We note an important awareness to mold. Polysensitization is often encountered in older children. In some cases, there was a discrepancy between the history and results of skin prick tests based research to discuss specific IgE.

Conclusion: The diagnosis is mainly clinical allergy. The examination and skin tests constitute the cornerstone. They are sufficient in most cases to diagnose the cause. Clinical common sense and prudence of the findings are required in the interpretation of results.