Parietaria allergy in children.

Area of Science:

• Aerobiology
• Pediatric Allergy
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Parietaria, a Urticaceae family plant, thrives in nitrogen-rich urban environments like walls and fences.
• Pollen monitoring in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands since 1983 tracks daily concentrations against weather conditions.
• Parietaria pollen is prevalent year-round, particularly in cool, rainy, coastal regions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and impact of Parietaria pollen sensitivity in pediatric patients.
• To analyze the trend of Parietaria pollen sensitization in children aged 1 to 15 years.
• To assess the role of Parietaria pollen in pediatric allergic conditions, including asthma.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 12,650 case histories from a Pediatric Allergology Unit.
• Identification of children with confirmed sensitivity to Parietaria pollen.
• Correlation of sensitization patterns with patient age and allergen exposure.

Main Results:

• Out of 12,650 children, 449 exhibited sensitivity to Parietaria pollen.
• Exclusive Parietaria pollen sensitivity was low in younger children (1-15 years).
• Parietaria pollen emerged as the most frequent allergen in older children after initial sensitization to domestic allergens.
• Rhinoconjunctival symptoms were predominant, but Parietaria pollen's role in pediatric asthma was significant.

Conclusions:

• Parietaria pollen is an important allergen in the pediatric population, with increasing significance in older children.
• While rhinoconjunctivitis is common, Parietaria pollen allergy can contribute to the development of bronchial asthma.
• Continued monitoring and awareness of Parietaria pollen are crucial for managing pediatric allergies.