Can sensitization to aeroallergens disappear over time in children with allergic disease?

Background: Remittance of aeroallergen sensitization has been shown in population‐based studies, but there is a common perception that sensitization to aeroallergens rarely if ever disappears in children with allergic disease. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all specific IgE tests carried out in children aged 0–18 years at our hospital laboratory over a 14‐year period. Of 3115 children sensitized to one or more aeroallergens, 244 (7.8%) were retested after a mean (SD) period of 45 (28) months at their physician’s discretion. Results: Disappearance of sensitization to individual aeroallergens did occur, with remittance rates ranging from 3.1% for house dust mite to 17.5% for cat. However, complete remittance of aeroallergen sensitization was found in only one subject. In up to 35% of cases, remittance of sensitization was offset by the appearance of one or more new aeroallergen sensitizations. Remittance was only observed in children sensitized to multiple allergens (with a median of 3 aeroallergen sensitizations), and their median degree of sensitization was low (median 2.1 kU/L). Conclusion: Aeroallergen sensitization can disappear in children with allergic disease, but only in polysensitized individuals. Complete remittance of sensitization to aeroallergens is rare in symptomatic children.