Pollen-related food allergy in children with seasonal allergic rhinitis

Introduction: Seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) and bronchial asthma are typical manifestations of pollen-food sensitization in adults. There is limited information regarding the sensitization patterns of pollen-food allergy in children. Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of SAR in children with pollen-food sensitization and assess the impact of food allergens on nasal symptoms. Material and methods: Forty-three children with pollen-food sensitization aged 2-14 years were evaluated for evidence of SAR. The inclusion criteria was IgE-mediated sensitization to pollen and homologous food allergens. The control group consisted of 19 children with SAR caused by pollen without sensitization to homologous food allergens. Results: Allergic rhinitis was the main symptom in 65.1% of children; in 25.6% an association between ingestion of pollen-related foods and nasal symptoms was observed. The simultaneous sensitization to animal origin food allergens was stated in 63.3% of children with SAR. In 25.6% anaphylactic reactions to foods were registered. 37.2% of children were asymptomatic to pollen origin foods despite pollen-food sensitization. The statistically significant differences between values were noticed in comparison to the control group. Conclusions: Allergic rhinitis is a common manifestation of pollen-food sensitization in children and this type of immunological hyperreactivity should be taken into account regardless of age. The lack of association of symptoms with plant origin foods in the majority of cases and the asymptomatic course of food sensitization in more than one third of patients indicates the need for follow-up and being careful in routine recommending the avoidance diet.