Early Atopic Sensitization to House-Dust Mite in Children with Recurrent Wheeze-A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives To determine sensitization to house-dust mite (HDM) antigen in under-five children with recurrent wheeze, compare it with nonwheezers, and assess atopic comorbidities in them. Methods A cross-sectional study was done in the Pediatric department of a teaching hospital in North India, in 190 children aged 1-5 y. Out of these, 127 had recurrent wheeze (RW), and 63 had no wheeze (NW). Sensitivity was done by skin prick test (SPT) for two dust mites antigens: Dermatophagoide farinae and Dermatophagoide pteronyssinus antigens. In addition, atopic comorbidities like atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis were assessed. Results Mean age of the study population was 34.52 +/- 20.50 mo. SPT positivity for either of the dust mites was 97 (76.4%) in RW and 13 (20.6%) in NW which was significant (p < 0.001, aOR = 12.27). HDM species sensitization for D. pteronyssinus was 55.1% vs. 15.9% (p < 0.001 aOR = 7.81) and D. farinae was 39.4% vs. 9.5% (p < 0.001, aOR = 5.45) in groups, respectively. Mean wheal size in RW Group was also significantly higher than NW group for D. pteronyssinus (2.39 +/- 1.44 vs. 0.52 +/- 1.19 mm, median (IQR) 3 (1-3), p < 0.001), D. farinae (1.80 +/- 1.39 vs. 0.32 +/- 1.00 mm, median (IQR) 2 (0-3), p < 0.001). Allergic rhinitis was present in 55 (43.3%) vs. 7 (11.1%) (p < 0.001), atopic dermatitis in 28 (22%) vs. 2 (3.2%) (p = 0.001) in group 1 and 2, respectively. All children with allergic rhinitis had HDM sensitization in both groups. Conclusion This study showed early sensitization to HDM in children with recurrent wheeze. Atopic comorbidities were also present in them.