Does aeroallergen sensitivity and allergic rhinitis in children cause milder COVID-19 infection?
Allergy Asthma Proc
; 42(6): 522-529, 2021 Nov 01.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1533596
ABSTRACT
Background:
There are conflicting data with regard to the impact of respiratory and allergic comorbidities on the course of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children.Objective:
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between allergic diseases and COVID-19 severity in pediatric patients.Methods:
Seventy-five pediatric patients with COVID-19 were classified according to clinical severity and evaluated in the allergy/immunology and pulmonology departments 1 to 3 months after the infection resolved. Blood was collected from the patients for a complete blood cell count and assessment of immunoglobulin and total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, and skin-prick tests and spirometry tests were performed.Results:
A total of 75 patients ages 5-18 years were evaluated. COVID-19 was asymptomatic/mild in 44 patients and moderate/severe/critical in 31 patients. Based on allergy evaluation, allergic rhinitis was diagnosed in 19 patients (25.3%), asthma in 10 patients (13%), and atopic dermatitis in 3 patients (4%). Aeroallergen sensitivity was detected in 26 patients (34.7%). COVID-19 infection was asymptomatic/mild in 15 patients with allergic rhinitis (78.9%) and in 21 with aeroallergen sensitivity (80.8%) (p = 0.038 and p = 0.005, respectively). There was no difference in severity between the patients with and without asthma (p = 0.550). The median (interquartile range) total IgE level was significantly higher in the asymptomatic/mild group (71.8 [30.7-211.2]) (p = 0.015). There were no differences in terms of spirometry parameters.Conclusion:
Aeroallergen sensitization and allergic rhinitis in children may be associated with a milder course of COVID-19. The knowledge that atopy is associated with less-severe COVID-19 outcomes in children may guide clinical risk classification.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Asthma
/
Skin Tests
/
Allergens
/
Dermatitis, Atopic
/
Rhinitis, Allergic
/
COVID-19
/
Hypersensitivity
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Topics:
Long Covid
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Child
/
Child, preschool
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Journal:
Allergy Asthma Proc
Journal subject:
Allergy and Immunology
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Aap.2021.42.210087
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