Allergic children have more numerous and severe respiratory infections than non-allergic children

Authors: Ciprandi, Giorgio¹; Tosca, Maria Angela²; Fasce, Lilia²

Source: Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Volume 17, Number 5, August 2006 , pp. 389-391(3)

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Abstract:

Ciprandi G, Tosca MA, Fasce L. Allergic children have more numerous and severe respiratory infections than non-allergic children.

Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2006: 17: 389-391.

Allergic disorders are characterized by Th2-polarization, and hence physiological Th1-dependent mechanisms for fighting respiratory infections (RI) may be defective. This study aimed at evaluating the number and duration of RI in allergic and non-allergic children suffering from recurrent RI. One hundred seventeen children (4.02 ± 1.0 yr, 72 males and 45 females) were studied during the spring, 46 were allergic. Allergic children showed a significantly higher number (mean 1.26 ± 0.73) and longer duration of RI (8.92 days) in comparison with non-allergic group (0.94 ± 1.37 and 4.85 days) (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.009, respectively). In conclusion, this study provides the evidence that allergic children have more numerous and severe RI than non-allergic children.

Keywords: allergic children; recurrent respiratory infections; Th1 and Th2 cells

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-3038.2006.00413.x

Affiliations: 1: Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino, Genova, Italy 2: Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy

Publication date: 2006-08-01