Accuracy of positive skin prick test in children with atopic dermatitis: a single center exprience

Abstract

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of positive SPT in children with atopic dermatitis and to show its diagnostic accuracy and correlation between postitive skin prick test (SPT) and severity of atopic dermatitis (AD), as well as emphasizing improtance of SPT as an important diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of AD.

Methods

The retrospective-prospective study was conducted at the Department of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergology of the Clinic for Children’s Diseases, University Clinical Center (UCC) Tuzla, from January 2015 to January 2020.

The skin prick test was performed by trained study personnel. Standard MWD ?3 mm is proposed by the World Allergy Organization (WAO) and was used in our study.

Results

This study included 646 children. Atopic dermatitis was diagnosed in 126, while 114 children with atopic dermatitis met our study criteria. All 114 children were subjected to SPT. Positive results were found in 60 children (52.6%) with AD. SPT was positive in 11 of 23 children with mild form of AD (47.8%). In the same time, 36/70 (51.4%) children with moderate form of AD had positive skin prick test. Severe form of AD was found in 21 children. Thirteen children had food or aeroalergy (61.9%).

Conclusion

Our study showed that a significant number of children with AD showed sensitivity to dust, pollen, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, milk, eags and other alergens on SPT. It also showed strong correlation between postitive skin prick test and severity of AD.