• Raquel Prudente de Carvalho Baldaçara, Maria de Fátima Marcelos Fernandes, Leonardo Baldaçara, Wilson Tartuce Aun, João Ferreira de Mello, and Mario Cesar Pires.
• Universidade Federal do Tocantins, Department of Medicine, PalmasTocantinsBrazil.
• Sao Paulo Med J. 2013 Jan 1; 131 (5): 301308301-8.

Context And ObjectiveKnowledge of the profile of allergen sensitization among children is important for planning preventive measures. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and profile of sensitization to inhaled allergens and food among children and adolescents in an outpatient population in the city of Palmas.Design And SettingCross-sectional study at outpatient clinics in Palmas, Tocantins, Brazil.MethodsNinety-four patients aged 1-15 years who were attending two pediatric outpatient clinics were selected between September and November 2008. All of the subjects underwent clinical interviews and skin prick tests.ResultsA positive skin prick test was observed in 76.6% of the participants (72.3% for inhalants and 28.9% for food allergens). The most frequent allergens were Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (34%), cat epithelium (28.7%), dog epithelium (21.3%), Dermatophagoides farinae (19.1%), Blomia tropicalis (18.1%), cow's milk (9.6%) and grasses (9.6%). A positive skin prick test correlated with a history of atopic disease (odds ratio, OR = 5.833; P = 0.002), a family history of atopic disease (OR = 8.400; P < 0.001), maternal asthma (OR = 8.077; P = 0.048), pet exposure (OR = 3.600; P = 0.012) and cesarean delivery (OR = 3.367; P = 0.019).ConclusionDermatophagoides pteronyssinus was the most frequent aeroallergen and cow's milk was the most prevalent food allergen. There was a positive correlation between a positive skin prick test and several factors, such as a family history of atopic disease, maternal asthma, pet exposure and cesarean delivery.

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