Early inhalant allergen sensitization at component level: an analysis in atopic Dutch children.

Background: Allergic rhinitis is a common respiratory disease in children and sensitization to inhalant allergens plays a significant role in its development. However, limited knowledge exists regarding sensitization profiles of inhalant allergen components in atopic children, particularly in the very young individuals. Understanding these profiles could provide insights into the early development of allergic rhinitis. The objective of this cross-sectional retrospective study was to evaluate the IgE-sensitization profiles to multiple inhalant allergen components and their clinical relevance in Dutch atopic children, with specific focus on children under the age of 4 years. Methods: A total of 243 atopic children were included in the study and sensitization profiles were analyzed using multiplex microarray analysis (ISAC). Clinical information was obtained from records of a pediatric allergy outpatient clinic between 2011 and 2020. Specific IgE responses to inhalation allergen components from five allergen sources (grass pollen, tree pollen, house dust mite, cat and dog), were examined. The study encompassed children of different age groups and compared those with and without symptoms. Results: The results demonstrated that sensitization to inhalant allergen components was present in 92% of the cohort. Sensitization was already evident at a young age (87%), including infancy, with a rapid increase in prevalence after 1 year of age. House dust mite emerged as the most predominant sensitizing allergen in early childhood, followed by tree pollen in later years. Sensitization patterns were similar between symptomatic and asymptomatic children, although symptomatic children exhibited higher frequencies and values. The sensitization profiles in very young children were comparable to those of children across all age groups. Conclusion: These findings highlight the presence of sensitization to inhalant allergen components and the early onset of allergic rhinitis before the age of 4, including infancy, in Dutch atopic children. Notable allergen molecules in Dutch atopic children under the age of 4 years include Bet v 1, Fel d 1, Der f 1, Der p 1, Der p 10 and Phl p 4, with house dust mite sensitization being the most common among Dutch infants. Moreover, the prevalence of sensitization to inhalant allergens in this Dutch cohort surpassed that of general European populations, emphasizing the importance of early assessment and management of allergic rhinitis in young atopic children.

ALEX versus ISAC multiplex array in analyzing food allergy in atopic children.

ALEX multiplex array is a relatively new multiplex allergy test which analyses more than 120 allergen extracts and 170 molecular components. ISAC is the most used and studied multiplex array to date, offering 112 molecular components. In ten atopic children with multiple food allergies good agreement was observed between ALEX and ISAC sIgE results for nearly all shared food components. Presence of larger number of allergens in ALEX could help clinicians to improve personalized dietary advice. However more positive sensitizations with unknown clinical relevance were found by ALEX, potentially increasing clinical complexity. Pediatric allergists should be aware of this, especially in young atopic children with (severe) eczema who have not introduced all sorts of food yet.

Efficacy and safety of a tight glucose control protocol in critically ill term neonates.

BACKGROUND: A large single-center randomized trial showed that treating hyperglycemia in critically ill children improved outcome, despite an increased incidence of hypoglycemia, especially in infants. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the efficacy and incidence of hypoglycemia using a tight glucose protocol in critically ill term neonates. METHODS: Term hyperglycemic (>8 mmol·l(-1); >144 mg·dl(-1)) neonates treated with a tight glucose protocol during a 3.5-year period in a tertiary pediatric intensive care unit were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Seventy-three term hyperglycemic neonates [age 0 days (0-6), weight 3.2 ± 0.8 kg, PRISM 16 (11-20)] were included for analysis. Eighteen neonates died (25%). The initial mean (range) glucose level was 11.1 mmol·l(-1) [9.6-15.2; 200 mg·dl(-1) (173-274)], and normoglycemia (<8 mmol·l(-1); <144 mg·dl(-1)) was reached within 5.3 h (1-25) with an overall treatment duration of 27 h (10-57). Seven hypoglycemic incidents (5 times ≤2.2 mmol·l(-1); 40 mg·dl(-1), and 2 times <1.7 mmol·l(-1); 31 mg·dl(-1)) occurred in 5 (6.7%) infants, without severe clinical signs. Three hypoglycemic incidents were directly explained due to a protocol violation. One hypoglycemic incident occurred with the onset of sepsis, while no apparent cause was identified for three hypoglycemic incidents. CONCLUSIONS: Our glucose protocol was effective, but hypoglycemia occurred more frequently than in older children reported previously. Potential differences in glucose and insulin metabolism in term neonates appear to justify additional safety approaches, while awaiting further studies assessing the benefits of tight glucose protocols in this population. Meanwhile, we have decreased the initial insulin starting doses in our protocol.