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Mapping paediatric aeroallergen sensitisation profiles and optimising skin prick test panels in Southern Belgium
Corentin Stavart1, Matthieu Thimmesch2, Thierry De Saint-Moulin3
1Department 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.
Insights
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.
Background:
Allergic diseases are rapidly increasing worldwide, with considerable regional variations. In Belgium, studies on paediatric aeroallergen sensitisation have been lacking.
Methods:
This multicentre, epidemiological study analysed aeroallergen sensitisation patterns in children across seven hospitals in Southern Belgium, using retrospective skin prick tests data from 2023. Its secondary objective was to identify the most relevant aeroallergens and define a region-specific minimal panel optimising diagnostic efficiency.
Results:
A total of 3297 patients were included, with respiratory symptoms being the primary indication for testing. The overall skin prick test positivity rate was 46.2 %, with significant age-related variations, including a notably lower rate in children under 3 years (16.6 %). The most common allergens identified were house dust mites (63.9 %), grass pollen (43.5 %), Betulaceae pollen (35.9 %), and cat dander (31.1 %). Over 63 % of sensitised children exhibited polysensitisation, with its prevalence increasing with age. Two distinct five-allergen panels, one for children under 3 years and one for older children, capture over 95 % of sensitisation.
Conclusion:
This study provides a real-life overview of aeroallergen sensitisation based on a large cohort of Belgian children. Two minimal five-allergen panels offer a cost-effective and region-specific diagnostic tool. Findings also highlight the limited positivity of skin prick tests in children under 3 years, underscoring the importance of adequate test performance and interpretation in this age group to ensure reliable results.
