[Ten years of experience with specific desensitization in children with bronchial asthma]

Hundred eighty five children, aged between 6 and 15 years, with bronchial asthma and diagnosed allergy to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus were followed-up for 2-3 years between 1978 and 1988. Children were treated with HDM vaccine Bencard. Administered doses were increased gradually at the beginning of therapy whereas they remained the same for further 1-3 years. Excellent and favourable results were achieved in 78.4% of cases. The treatment as postponed in 36 children (19.4%) because of the lack of improvement after one year of the follow-up. Easily manageable adverse reactions and complications were seen in 4 patients (2.2%).