Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to document the clinical features
of children with mosquito allergy and investigate the possible
associations between demographic features and type of reactions in this
population. Methods: Children with large local or unusual reactions
after mosquito bites who attended to our outpatient pediatric allergy
department were enrolled in the study along with control subjects.
Results: A total of 180 children (94 with mosquito allergy and 86 age
and sex-matched control subjects) with a median age of 6.8 years (IQR
5.5-9.3) were enrolled. Atopy (35.1% vs. 11.6%, p<0.001) and
grass pollen sensitization (28.7% vs. 8.1%, p<0.001) were
significantly more frequent in children with mosquito allergy. Skin
prick test with mosquito allergen was positive in only 6 children
(6,4%). Grass pollen sensitization was most common in children (28.7%)
followed by sensitization to house dust mite (9.6%). 30 children
(31.9%) had an accompanying atopic disease such as allergic rhinitis,
asthma or atopic dermatitis. Bullae were significantly more frequent in
children with asthma (41.7% vs.15.9, p=0.034). The median duration of
symptoms after onset were significantly longer in patients with
ecchymosis, with immediate wheals and in children whose symptoms start
in 20 min to 4 hours after mosquito bites. Conclusions: The role of
commercially available tests in the diagnosis of children with mosquito
allergy is limited. There is an association between unusual, large local
or exaggerated reactions after mosquito bites and allergic diseases in
children. The severity of reactions increases with age and particularly
in children with atopic background