Methods: The present study included 670 pediatric asthmatic patients from the 3rd Pediatric Clinic in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. We analyzed the association with other atopic diseases, presence of risk and gravity factors for asthma, as well as some immunological parameters.
Results: Allergic rhinitis was found in 24.6% of asthma patients and atopic dermatitis was identified in 16.4% of them. The first asthma symptoms were present before 5 years of age in 83.3% of the patients. More than half of the patients were breast-fed for at least 4 months and only 32% of them were exposed to cigarette smoke at home. Sixty-four percent of the patients consulted for asthma attack and 11 patients had respiratory failure. Total IgE were determined in 170 patients and increased values were detected in 38.2% of cases. Specific IgE to house-dust mites were found increased in all the 170 patients to whom the total IgE were measured. 58.8% of the 170 patients with asthma and house-dust mite sensitization also presented pollen sensitization, and 38.2% presented mould sensitization.
Conclusions: The present study revealed that a quarter of asthma patients associated allergic rhinitis. House-dust mites sensitization was the most frequent. Normal values of total IgE can not exclude airborne allergens’ sensitization.