Mapping paediatric aeroallergen sensitisation profiles and optimising skin prick test panels in Southern Belgium

Corentin Stavart ¹, Matthieu Thimmesch ², Thierry De Saint-Moulin ³

⁰Department of Paediatrics, CHU UCL Namur Godinne, Yvoir, Belgium; Pole of Lung, Nose and Skin (LUNS), Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research (IREC), Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Brussels, Belgium; Department of Paediatrics, Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium.

Archives De Pediatrie : Organe Officiel De La Societe Francaise De Pediatrie +

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December 19, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This study on Belgian children reveals common aeroallergens like house dust mites and grass pollen. Two tailored five-allergen panels can efficiently diagnose paediatric allergies.

Area Of Science

Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
Epidemiology of Allergic Diseases
Diagnostic Immunology

Background

Allergic diseases show increasing global prevalence with significant regional differences.
Paediatric aeroallergen sensitisation data from Belgium were previously limited.
This study addresses the need for regional data on childhood allergies in Belgium.

Purpose Of The Study

To investigate aeroallergen sensitisation patterns in children in Southern Belgium.
To identify key aeroallergens and establish region-specific diagnostic panels.
To optimize diagnostic efficiency for paediatric allergic diseases.

Main Methods

A multicentre epidemiological study utilizing retrospective skin prick test data from 2023.
Analysis of data from 3297 children across seven hospitals in Southern Belgium.
Identification of common allergens and assessment of polysensitisation prevalence.

Main Results

Overall skin prick test positivity was 46.2%, with lower rates in children under 3 years (16.6%).
The most frequent sensitisation was to house dust mites (63.9%), grass pollen (43.5%), Betulaceae pollen (35.9%), and cat dander (31.1%).
Over 63% of sensitised children had polysensitisation, increasing with age; two five-allergen panels captured >95% of sensitisation.

Conclusions

Provides a real-world overview of aeroallergen sensitisation in a large Belgian paediatric cohort.
Two minimal five-allergen panels offer a cost-effective, region-specific diagnostic approach.
Highlights the importance of careful test interpretation in younger children due to lower skin prick test positivity.

Keywords:

Child Inhalant allergen Regional allergen panels Sensitisation Skin prick test

Related Concept Videos

Allergic Reactions

Overview

We speak of an allergy when the immune system triggers a response against a benign foreign structure, like food, pollen or pet dander. These elicitors are called allergens. If the immune system of a hypersensitive individual was primed against a specific allergen, it will trigger allergic symptoms during every subsequent encounter of the allergen. Symptoms can be mild, such as hay fever, to severe, such as potentially fatal anaphylactic shock.

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