Aeroallergen Sensitization Patterns and Related Factors in Children With Allergic Rhinitis in Guangzhou

Background: Certain patterns of children's serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) sensitivity to aeroallergens may offer useful clinical insight into forecasting the course and prognosis of allergic rhinitis (AR). The study aimed to investigate the changes in aeroallergen sensitization patterns in children with AR during the last decade and compare the sensitization pre- and post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Children who visited our center. Methods: This is a retrospective study, examining the serum IgE of nine aeroallergens from 21,362 children (1-12 years old) from AR who visited Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center from June 2013 to June 2023. Result: The dust mites were the most prevalent aeroallergen in Guangzhou, with positive sensitization rates of 74.30% for Dermatophagoides farinae (D. farinae), 73.30% for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (D. pteronyssinus), and common ragweed (1.6%) was the lowest. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the sensitization rates to D. farinae were consistent and D. pteronyssinus was slightly decreased while German cockroach, cat, and dog dander were increased. Most of the aeroallergens other than common ragweed were increased in school-age children than preschool stage. Boys have a higher positive rate than girls for D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus. Conclusions: With the unraveling of allergens' sensitization rates in various conditions, avoidance from D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus should still be the most important objectives to maintain in reducing AR episodes.