Changes in Skin Prick Test Results over 3 Years in School-Aged Children

Objectives Determining the allergen is important for the diagnosis and management of allergic diseases. The skin prick test (SPT) has been widely used to identify allergens. Skin sensitivity to allergens can change due to changes in lifestyle and outdoor environments. Little is known about the changes of allergen sensitivity in young children.

Methods In this Allergic Rhinitis Cohort Study for Kids (ARCO-kids), consecutive pediatric patients with rhinitis symptoms underwent skin prick tests (SPTs). 1689 children were assessed for allergen sensitivity from 2009 to 2011. SPTs were performed with inhalant allergens at initial survey and re-performed at 3-year follow-up survey.

Results 280 children fulfilled the follow-up SPT. Initially 72 children were negative for SPT and 25 (34.7%) developed skin sensitivity during the 3-year study. Among 25 children, 20 (80%) were newly sensitized to house dust mites (HDM). 194 (69.3%) were sensitized to HDM at initial survey and 213 (76.1%) were sensitized to HDM at follow-up survey. Skin sensitivity to cat, dog, tree, grass, fungus also increased during the study. 102 children were sensitized only to HDM. After 3-year follow up, 41 (40.2%) were newly sensitized to other antigens such as cat, dog, trees.

Conclusion Our study showed the changes in skin sensitivity to inhalant allergens over 3 years in school-aged children. Skin sensitivity was increased in both non-sensitizer and mono-sensitizer to HDM.