PURPOSE:
Urticaria is a common disorder, with a lifetime
incidence of approximately 15%–20% of the general
population. It is difficult to differentiate
urticaria in
children because of the similarity in symptoms between acute and
chronic urticaria. There is also a lack of studies between
vitamin D known as an important
role in the
immune system and
urticaria in
children. The present study aimed to assess the characteristics and
allergen sensitization of young
children diagnosed with
urticaria and to evaluate the relationship between their
vitamin D status and
urticaria.
METHODS:
We retrospectively reviewed
medical records of 218
children diagnosed as having
urticaria at CHA and Myongji
Hospitals between April 2013 and December 2014. The results of
questionnaires and
laboratory tests, including specific
IgE and
serum 25-hydroxy
vitamin D concentrations were obtained.
RESULTS:
Of 218
patients, 118 (54%) were positive for at least 1
allergen and there was no significant difference in the
prevalence of sensitization between the acute and
chronic urticaria groups. However, the
prevalence of polysensitization and sensitization of
house dust mites was significantly higher in the
chronic urticaria group than in the acute
urticaria group (P=0.011 and P=0.029, respectively). Among the
urticaria symptoms, an
itching sensation was more associated with insufficient
vitamin D status in
children with
urticaria (P=0.034).
CONCLUSION:
Our results demonstrated that
children with
chronic urticaria have a higher
prevalence of sensitization to
house dust mites and polysensitization. Further studies
will need to determine whether the
supply of
vitamin D can improve
itching sensation in
urticaria children with an insufficient
vitamin D status.