Characterising the allergen landscape in paediatric allergic rhinitis and/or asthma

Chen Y, Zhou X, Wang Y et al.  BMJ Open Respir Res. 2026 Mar 3;13(1):e003693. doi: 10.1136/bmjresp-2025-003693.

Abstract

Objective To characterise the allergen sensitisation profile and its demographic, seasonal and laboratory associations in children with allergic rhinitis (AR) and/or asthma in Guangdong, China.

Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of children diagnosed with AR and/or asthma from January 2020 to December 2023. Serum allergen-specific Immunoglobulin E (IgE) measurements were used to identify allergens. Sensitisation patterns and their relationships with age, sex, season of visit, peripheral-blood cell counts and immune markers were assessed with χ² tests and Spearman correlation.

Distributional characteristics of allergens in 8080 children.

Results A total of 8080 children (median age, 7.0 years; 69.0% boys) were included; 89.1% had AR, 7.5% asthma and 3.4% both conditions. Overall, 76.5% were sensitised to inhalant allergens, 18.3% to food allergens and 5.2% to other allergens. Dermatophagoides farinae (93.2 %) and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (88.3 %) were the dominant inhalant allergens, whereas egg (14.2 %) and milk (11.9 %) prevailed among foods.

Dual sensitisation was most common (67.6 %). Inhalant sensitisation peaked in summer (79.8 %), whereas food sensitisation was highest in spring (6.8 %). Inhalant‐allergen positivity increased with age, while food‐allergen positivity declined (p<0.001). Seventeen of 18 allergens displayed significant sex differences. Total IgE correlated positively with most inhalant and food allergens but negatively with egg allergen (p<0.05); neutrophil percentage showed similar positive correlations with several allergens. Allergen sensitisation correlates with impaired lung function and elevated airway inflammation.

Conclusion House-dust mites are the principal sensitising allergens in children with AR and/or asthma in Guangdong, followed by egg and milk. Sensitisation patterns are modulated by season, age and sex, underscoring the necessity for region- and age-specific preventive and therapeutic strategies in paediatric allergic disease management.

What is already known on this topic

• Allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma are common in Chinese children, but links between specific allergen profiles with season, age, sex, lung function and immune markers are poorly defined.

What this study adds

• Analysed allergen-specific IgE results from 8080 Guangdong children with AR and/or asthma.
• Sensitisation patterns varied by sex, age and season and were strongly linked to lung function.

How this study might affect research, practice or policy

• Provide Guangdong-specific allergen exposure data to tailor prevention and treatment for paediatric AR/asthma.

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