Sensitization to inhalant and food allergens in Brazilian children. Allergy project – PROAL, Brazil

To determine prevalence of sensitization to inhalant and food allergens among atopic (A) and non atopic (C) Brazilian children. A children (N=457, 12 to 144 months), outpatients in pediatric allergy services from 5 Brazilian regions, had at least one positive skin prick test (SPT) to a common allergen. C group consisted of 62 children (same age range) without allergy history and negative SPT. Serum total IgE and specific IgE to inhalant and food allergens were measured (Pharmacia-IgE-UNICAP). Serum specific IgE ≥0.35 KU/l defined a positive RAST (R+), identifying sensitization. R+ was observed in 79.0% A and in 25.8% C. In A, total IgE serum levels were significantly higher among those with R+. Frequency of R+ were significantly higher in A: D.pteronyssinus=66.7% × 14.5%, D.farinae=64.5% × 17.8%, B.tropicalis=55.2% × 19.4%, cockroach=32.8% × 9.7%, cat=12% × 8.1%, grass pollens=10% × 4.8%, cow's ephitelia=10% × 6.5%, dog=7.8% × 3.2%, horse=4.2% × 0%, molds=2.9% × 0%, fish=29.5% × 11.3%, egg=24.4% × 4.8%, cow's milk=23.1% × 3.2%, wheat=20% × 8.1%, peanut=14% × 4.8%, soy=11.8% × 4.8%, and corn=10.6% × 4.8%. R+ to food predominates in young children and to inhalant allergens in the older ones. The prevalence of R+ was not significantly different between regions. Sensitization, more frequent among A, was not influenced by residential region.