Survey Health Data on Allergic Rhinitis (AR) and Asthmatic Symptoms and Blood Samples (IgE Sensitizations) in Preschool Children: An Observational Study

Background: Aim of the study was to investigate the association of IgE sensitizations in serum and self-reported allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthmatic symptoms. Methods: Between 2015 and 2018, parents of 1190 children in Günzburg, Germany participated in the study by completing a questionnaire. Settings were the Health-Monitoring-Units (HMU) during the obligatory school entry examinations and a medical examination for all German children at the age of 60−64 months (U9). Random serum samples from 340 children were analyzed for IgE-sensitizations. For possible associations of sensitization and six health outcomes (symptoms of AR, dry cough at night, wheeze, asthma diagnosis, physician-diagnosed asthma, and physician-diagnosed AR), a regression analysis was performed. Results: The parents of 1190 children completed the questionnaire. Parental asthma and physician-diagnosed asthma (OR 4.79; 95%-CI [2.16−10.65]) and underweight at birth/preterm delivery showed the highest associations with asthma based on the German ISAAC definition (OR 3.58; 95%-CI [1.77−7.22]). Out of 340 children blood samples 118 children were sensitized against at least one allergen (airborne pollen allergens, non-seasonal airborne allergens, or food allergens). Sensitized children reported more frequently from symptoms of AR, wheeze, and asthma based on the German ISAAC definition than children without sensitization. Conclusion: This observational study identified the prevalence of AR, asthma and existing sensitization among the participating children. Parental asthma and underweight at birth were identified as risk factors for allergic symptoms and asthma.