Prevalence of atopic sensitization in Junior-high-school children in Chanthaburi Province.

Abstract

Objectives : 1. To evaluate the prevalence of atopic sensitization demonstrated by skin prick test in junior-high-school children in Chanthaburi province.
2. To evaluate the prevalence of positive results of skin prick test caused by various allergens in these subjects.

Study design : Cross-sectional descriptive study

Setting : Chanthaburi high school from May to June 2002

Method : Skin prick test were performed on children using common allergens including D.pteronyssinus, D.farinae, American cockroach, cat pelt, Cladosporium, Penicillium and Aspergillus. Positive skin test reactivity was defined as a mean wheal diameter > 0.5 mean wheal diameter of histamine at the 20 minutes reading.

Results : 347 children, of which 34.5 percent had allergic diseases, were included in this study. The overall prevalent rate of atopic sensitization was 62.2 percent and there was a little difference in atopic sensitization rates between allergic group (62.1 percent) and non-allergic group (62 percent) The prevalence of positive tests were as followed : D. pteronyssinus 60.2 percent, D. farinae 51.9 percent, American cockroach 30.0
percent, cat pelt 11.2 percent, Cladosporium 2.0 percent, Penicillium 2.0 percent and Aspergillus 0.9 percent

Conclusion : The common allergens, house dust mite and cockroach, revealed in this study were similar to the previous studies in Thailand. The conclusion is that house dust mite and cockroach may be the most common allergens in Thailand. Avoidance of these allergens may decrease or minimize the risk to developing allergic diseases.