Dog Allergy in Children: A Single-Centered Study.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
• Environmental Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Dogs are common pets, but dog allergy is a significant concern for children.
• Limited data exists on risk factors for developing dog allergy.
• This study addresses the scarcity of information on dog allergy predictors in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize children with confirmed dog allergen sensitization.
• To identify risk factors and predictors for developing symptoms upon dog exposure.
• To enhance understanding of canine allergy development in pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of children with positive skin prick tests (SPT) for dog allergen.
• Data collection included demographics, clinical history, and parental interviews.
• Study period: September 2019 to December 2022, including 507 children with complete data.

Main Results:

• Dog allergen sensitization was found in 5.5% of 9,907 children.
• 32.3% of sensitized children experienced acute symptoms upon dog exposure.
• Predictors identified: male sex, early exposure (<1 year), owner contact, and co-existing cat allergy.

Conclusions:

• A significant portion of dog-sensitized children develop allergy symptoms.
• Early-life factors and co-sensitization play crucial roles in dog allergy development.
• Findings aid in identifying children at higher risk for canine allergic reactions.