Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026
Intralymphatic Immunotherapy and Vaccination in Mice
Published on: February 2, 2014
A case control study of dermatophagoides immunotherapy in children below 5 years of age
C Di Bernardino1, F Di Bernardino, R Colombo
1Department of Paedriatrics, Bollate Hospital, 20 021 Bollate, Milan, Italy.
Insights
Dust mite specific immunotherapy (SIT) is safe and effective for children under 5. This allergy treatment significantly reduced asthma and rhinitis symptoms, proving early intervention is beneficial.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Immunotherapy Research
- Respiratory Health
Background:
- Dust mite allergies are common in young children, causing persistent inflammation and recurrent respiratory infections.
- This inflammation can impair airway development and lead to long-term respiratory issues.
- The safety and efficacy of specific immunotherapy (SIT) in children under 5 remain areas of ongoing discussion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the safety and clinical efficacy of dust mite specific immunotherapy (SIT) in children under 5 years of age.
- To evaluate the benefits versus risks of initiating SIT at a very early age.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 28 patients with Dermatophagoides-induced asthma and rhinitis treated with subcutaneous immunotherapy (SIT).
- A comparable control group was included for assessment.
- Symptom and medication scores were systematically collected using diary cards.
Main Results:
- The immunotherapy group showed significantly lower symptom and medication scores compared to the control group (p = 0.001).
- Asthma attacks markedly decreased in the SIT group within the first year of treatment (p = 0.001).
- Specific immunotherapy (SIT) was well-tolerated, with good patient compliance.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms the safety and efficacy of specific immunotherapy (SIT) for children under 5.
- Results support the initiation of SIT at a very early age for managing dust mite allergies.
Background:
In this study we investigate the effects of parenteral immunotherapy on children below 5 years of age in order to prove the safety and clinical efficacy of dust mite specific immunotherapy (SIT) in such young patients. In young children, allergy is often due to dermatophagoides and causes a persistent inflammation that leads to recurrent respiratory infections. This condition impairs the normal development of airways by inducing remodelling. Although many paediatric allergists are used to treating young allergic children with SIT, this method is still subject to discussion. The benefits versus risks of SIT must also be defined.
Methods:
In a case control study, 28 patients with dermatophagoides induced asthma and rhinitis treated with subcutaneous immunotherapy were assessed alongside a comparable control group. Symptom and drugs scores were collected from diary cards.
Results And Discussion:
Scores proved to be significantly lower in the immunotherapy group in respect to the control group (p = 0.001). In particular, asthma attacks in the case group decreased significantly during the first year of treatment (p = 0.001). SIT was well tolerated and compliance was good.
Conclusions:
Our results confirm the safety and the efficacy of SIT in children below 5 years of age and above all, they confirm that SIT can begin at a very early age.
