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Published on: June 4, 2017
Pollen-related food allergy in children with seasonal allergic rhinitis
Beata Cudowska1, Magdalena Pawłowicz1, Dariusz M Lebensztejn1
1Department of Paediatrics, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Nutrition and Allergology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.
Insights
Seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) is common in children with pollen-food sensitization. Many children with pollen-food allergy experience nasal symptoms, but some remain asymptomatic, highlighting the need for careful dietary advice.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Immunology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) and asthma are common in adults with pollen-food sensitization.
- Limited data exists on pollen-food allergy sensitization patterns in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate SAR prevalence in children with pollen-food sensitization.
- Assess the impact of food allergens on nasal symptoms in this pediatric group.
Main Methods:
- Studied 43 children (ages 2-14) with IgE-mediated sensitization to pollen and homologous foods.
- A control group of 19 children with SAR (pollen-induced, no food sensitization) was included.
- Evaluated for evidence of SAR and associated food triggers.
Main Results:
- Allergic rhinitis was the primary symptom in 65.1% of children.
- 25.6% linked food ingestion to nasal symptoms; 63.3% showed co-sensitization to animal allergens.
- Anaphylaxis occurred in 25.6%, while 37.2% were asymptomatic to pollen-origin foods.
Conclusions:
- SAR is a frequent manifestation of pollen-food sensitization in children.
- Immunological hyperreactivity to pollen-food allergens requires consideration across all ages.
- Lack of symptoms with plant foods and asymptomatic sensitization in many children necessitate cautious dietary avoidance recommendations and follow-up.
Introduction:
Seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) and bronchial asthma are typical manifestations of pollen-food sensitization in adults. There is limited information regarding the sensitization patterns of pollen-food allergy in children.
Aim:
To evaluate the prevalence of SAR in children with pollen-food sensitization and assess the impact of food allergens on nasal symptoms.
Material And Methods:
Forty-three children with pollen-food sensitization aged 2-14 years were evaluated for evidence of SAR. The inclusion criteria was IgE-mediated sensitization to pollen and homologous food allergens. The control group consisted of 19 children with SAR caused by pollen without sensitization to homologous food allergens.
Results:
Allergic rhinitis was the main symptom in 65.1% of children; in 25.6% an association between ingestion of pollen-related foods and nasal symptoms was observed. The simultaneous sensitization to animal origin food allergens was stated in 63.3% of children with SAR. In 25.6% anaphylactic reactions to foods were registered. 37.2% of children were asymptomatic to pollen origin foods despite pollen-food sensitization. The statistically significant differences between values were noticed in comparison to the control group.
Conclusions:
Allergic rhinitis is a common manifestation of pollen-food sensitization in children and this type of immunological hyperreactivity should be taken into account regardless of age. The lack of association of symptoms with plant origin foods in the majority of cases and the asymptomatic course of food sensitization in more than one third of patients indicates the need for follow-up and being careful in routine recommending the avoidance diet.
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