AUDIT OF
CHILDREN REFERRED TO AN ALLERY CLINIC IN CAPE TOWN OVER TWO YEAR PERIOD
(1998-2000)
Motala C, Potter PC, Weinberg EG
Red Cross Children's Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
Objective of the study: To determine the clinical
and allergen profiles of patients referred to a specialist allergy clinic
Methodology: Clinical and
laboratory data of children referred to the Allergy clinic between May 1998
and May 2000 was analysed. Clinical data included: (age at presentation,
sex and diagnosis). Laboratory tests analysed included Total IgE;
Phadiatop® FX5E; RAST® for individual allergens; and Skin prick test (SPT).
Results: Data of 802 subjects (490
males and 312 females) was analysed. The distribution of children in the
various age ranges were: >12 years = 340 (38,6%); 5-12 years = 289
(32,8%); 2-5 years = 131 (14,8%); <2 years =42 (4,7%). Asthma was the
commonest diagnosis (726 children): 28% had asthma only; 38% asthma and
allergic rhinitis; 7% asthma and atopic dermatitis; 17% asthma, allergic rhinitis
and atopic dermatitis.
The
remaining subjects (10%) were referred for food allergy, urticaria, drug
allergy contact dermatitis or insect allergy. The prevalence of sensitivity
to inhalant allergens was: House dust mite: 66%; S.A. grass mix: 21%;
Alternaria: 16%; Bermuda grass: 14%; Cladosporium: 12,6%; Dog dander: 9,5%;
Cat dander: 9%
Of
positive tests for food allergens 7,8% were sensitive to cow's milk, 7.1%
to egg-white; 5,8% to peanut; 2,7% to wheat, 2,6% to soya and 2,1% to fish.
Conclusion: The majority of
patients referred to the Allergy Clinic suffer from asthma. More than
two-thirds of children with asthma also have co-existing allergic rhinitis
and/or atopic dermatitis. Food allergens predominate in young children
(<2 years) whereas inhalant allergens are more common in older children.
House dust mite is the dominant inhalant allergen but a significant
proportion of children are sensitive to grasses and moulds as well.