Prevalence of positive skin prick test results in children with Down syndrome: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND

Because many of the same otologic and nasal problems experienced by children with Down syndrome are also frequent in children with atopic disease, many children with Down syndrome are referred to an allergist for evaluation.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of positive skin prick test (SPT) reactions to common aeroallergens in children with Down syndrome.

METHODS

Using a case-control design, we reviewed the medical records of children with Down syndrome who had undergone SPT. Each case was matched by sex and age with a control who had been evaluated by SPT at an initial visit.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine cases and controls were identified. Eighteen percent of cases were found to have at least 1 positive SPT result compared with 54% of controls. This closely approximates the percentage of the general population with at least 1 positive SPT result (54.3%) as reported in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the low prevalence of positive SPT results in children with Down syndrome, it is unlikely that allergic rhinitis will be identified as the cause of many of the chronic rhinitis symptoms that many of these children are referred to an allergy practice to have evaluated. It may be helpful to the parents and to the patients themselves to avoid involving another specialist and appointment because they frequently are involved with many specialists for medical care. A larger study would be helpful in confirming the prevalence of positive SPT results in children with Down syndrome.