Allergen Sensitization of Parents and Children With Respiratory Allergic Diseases

To study the differences in allergen sensitization of parents and their offspring with respiratory allergic diseases.

We included parents and their children who were both diagnosed with allergic asthma and/or allergic rhinitis, between January 2018 and December 2022. Parent-child dyads were evaluated for sensitization to six categories of allergens viz, dust mite, fungus, animal dander, weed pollen, tree pollen and food allergen, by measuring the allergen-specific immunoglobulin E levels (sIgE). Data of gender, age, feeding history, serum total IgE (tIgE), and absolute eosinophil counts (AEC) were collected and analyzed for differences in allergen sensitization of parents and children.

Overall, the AEC in children were significantly higher than that of parents. The sensitivity to fungal allergens in children was significantly higher than that in fathers (33.3% vs 6.7%, P = 0.01) as well as mothers (29.3% vs 8.3%, P = 0.03). Sensitization to food allergens was also higher in children compared to fathers (25.4% vs 7.9%, P = 0.01). Fathers with tree pollen allergen sensitivity, and mothers with weed pollen allergen sensitivity had a significantly increased risk (aOR, 95% CI) of having increased sensitivity to these allergens in their offspring; 24.01 (1.08, 53.99; P = 0.04) and 3.27 (1.08, 9.92; P = 0.04), respectively.

Children had greater sensitivity for fungal allergens compared to both parents, as well as food allergy compared to fathers. Fathers with tree pollen allergen sensitivity, and mothers with weed pollen allergen sensitivity had an increased risk of having their children sensitive to these types of allergens