[Allergens and risk factors in pediatric patients with allergic seasonal conjunctivitis]

The seasonal allergic conjunctivitis is an inflammatory disease of the ocular surface that affects mainly children, with predominance of male sex. It is an immunological disease with a typical reaction of hypersensitivity type 1 (IgE), resulted from several biological reactions (antigen-antibody) and it's associated to several risk factors.

To determine the more frequently identified allergens and the associated risk factors to the seasonal allergic conjunctivitis in children living in Mexico City.

Ophthalmologic clinical study done to 50 patients with diagnosis of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, during the months of March to October, 2001, at the Ophthalmology Department of the National Pediatric Institute. A control group was integrated by 50 patients of the consultation of ophthalmology with non-allergic ocular pathology, and percutaneous skin tests were made. A direct interrogation was applied to both groups to investigate associated risk factors of atopy.

The associated risk factors to the development of allergic conjunctivitis are: family atopic background, negative antecedent of breast feeding, asthma o rhinitis (statistically significant). The most frequently identified allergens were Dermatophagoides pteronissinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, Lolium perenne and Atriplex bacteosa, of the group of dust mites and pollen, respectively.

It is important to see our patients in an integral way. In the case of patients with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, it should not be forgotten to make an interrogation of the factors associated to atopy and, if it is possible, to inform to the patient and their relatives about these, in order to prevent them.