Distribution of food allergens in pediatric allergic rhinitis

Aims: To investigate the distribution of food allergens in pediatric allergic rhinitis. Methods: 106 children diagnosed with allergic rhinitis were reviewed and divided into two age groups, including preschooler (2-5 years old) group, 48 cases; and school children group (6-13 years), 58 cases. Allergen-specific IgE for the food allergens and inhalant allergens in patient’s serum was determined using the AllergyScreen system (Mediwiss Analytic GmbH, Germany). Results: Out of 106 AR children, 88 (83.02%) were tested positive for food allergen-specific serum IgE (sIgG), 97 (91.51%) positive for inhalant allergen-specific sIgE. Among these children, 79 (74.53%) were positive for both food and inhalant allergens, 9 (8.49%) were positive only for food allergens, and 18 (16.98%) were negative for food allergens but positive for inhalant allergens. Out of 88 children positive for food allergens, 34 (32.08%) were positive for single food allergen, 54 (50.94%) were positive for multiple food allergens. The top 6 food allergens, in the order of their positivity rates, were milk (52.83%), eggs (30.19%), beef (26.42%), cashew (26.42%), lamb (12.26%) and crabs (10.38%). The food allergen-positive rate in the preschooler group was higher than that in the school children group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Majority of the children with allergic rhinitis are also positive for food allergens, suggesting that food allergens might be one of the main causes for pediatric allergic rhinitis.