OBJECTIVETo investigate the major allergens in children with different allergic diseases, and to provide theoretical evidence for the clinical prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of allergic diseases in children.

METHODSSkin prick test (SPT) was conducted to detect allergens in 1179 allergic children. According to clinical diagnoses, patients were categorized into six groups: atopic dermatitis (n=140), allergic gastroenteritis (n=37), allergic conjunctivitis (n=77), asthma (n=285), allergic rhinitis (n=301) and allergic co-morbidity (n=329) groups.

RESULTSOf the 1179 patients, 82.0% had positive SPT results; the most prevalent inhalant allergens were Dermatophagoides farinae (68.1%) and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (53.5%), while the most common food allergens were milk (5.0%) and eggs (4.8%). The proportions were 84.3% and 83.8% for patients under or equal to 3 years of age in the atopic dermatitis and allergic gastroenteritis groups, respectively. Patients over 4 years of age accounted for the majority of the other four groups. Food as major allergens were found in both atopic dermatitis and allergic gastroenteritis groups; eggs and Dermatophagoides farinae were the most common allergens for the former group, while eggs and milk for the latter group. Inhalant allergens were the major allergens in the allergic conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and allergic co-morbidity groups, and the most prevalent allergens were Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus.

CONCLUSIONSThere are differences in the distribution of age and allergen types in children with different allergic diseases. Atopic dermatitis and allergic gastroenteritis are prevalent in infants and young children, and food allergens are more common. Patients in allergic conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and allergic co-morbidity groups are mostly children over 4 years of age, and inhalant allergens are more common.