Detection and analysis of serum allergens in 1 194 children with atopic dermatitis

Objective To investigate the distribution characteristics of serum allergens of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) in Xuzhou and its surrounding areas, so as to provide reference for its prevention and treatment in this region. Methods Clinical data were collected from 1 194 AD chidren and their results of serum total IgE (tIgE) and allergen-specific IgE (sIgE) were analyzed. Results Among 1 194 AD children, the tIgE positive rate was 75.63%, while the sIgE positive rate was 60.72%, in which 18.01% of sIgE positive carriers had one allergen and 40.71% of sIgE positive carriers had two and more allergens. The most common ingested allergen was milk (34.59%), followed by cashew nuts (12.48%) and egg albumen (10.97%). The top three inhaled allergens were house dust mite (22.53%), dog hair dander (18.76%) and cat hair dander (13.57%). There was statistical difference in most of allergens (14 types in total) among different age groups (P<0.05). With the increase of age, the positive rate of egg white, milk and cashew nuts decreased, while the positive rate of house dust mite, house dust, cockroach, mulberry and oak of cypress elm and willow increased. Cat hair dander and dog hair dander allergies were more common in the <3-year-old group, but less common after 3 years old. In the ＞ 6-year-old group, the positive rate of crab in girls was significantly higher than that in boys (P<0.05), while the positive rate of cashew nuts in boys was significantly higher than that in girls (P<0.05). Conclusions Most AD children in Xuzhou and its surrounding areas are IgE-dependent and commonly allergic to multiple allergens, where the main allergens were egg albumen, milk, cashew nuts and inhaled house dust mite, dog hair dander and cat hair dander. With the increase of age, the common allergens in AD children changes from ingested allergens to inhaled ones, suggesting that age may play an important role in the development of AD.