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Background: Pollen‐related seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (SAR) is a very frequent pediatric disease in Westernized countries. Risk factors and disease phenotypes have been thoroughly examined in several cross‐sectional studies. By contrast, only a few studies have examined disease evolution in patient cohorts. We investigated predictive biomarkers of disease evolution in a large cohort of children with SAR. Methods: During 2015‐2017 (follow‐up), we re‐examined 401 patients from those enrolled in 2009‐2011 (baseline) by the "Panallergens in Pediatrics" study, a large multicenter survey of Italian children with SAR. Information on clinical history (standard questionnaire, AllergyCARD®; TPS, Italy) and skin prick tests for inhalant and foods extracts (ALK‐Abelló, Hørsholm, Denmark) was acquired as at baseline visit. Evolution in clinical and sensitization data of patients was analyzed over time, as well as their association with the main baseline characteristics and atopy risk factors. Results: The average age of participants was 10.4 ± 3.4 years at baseline and 16.2 ± 3.6 years at follow‐up. SAR persisted in 93.3% of patients at follow‐up and became more frequently associated with asthma (from 36.7% at baseline to 48.6% at follow‐up) and oral allergy syndrome (OAS, from 23.4% to 37.7%). Compared to baseline, the prevalence of skin sensitization to some pollens (Phleum pratense, Corylus avellana, Platanus acerifolia, Artemisia vulgaris) and vegetables (hazelnut, wheat, and apple) significantly decreased at follow‐up. Earlier onset of SAR and polysensitization at baseline were associated with incident asthma at follow‐up. The presence at baseline of serum IgE to the following allergen molecules was identified as biomarkers of clinical evolution: (a) Phl p 1, for persistence of SAR; (b) Phl p 5, for persistence of both rhinitis and asthma; (c) Pru p 3, for new onset of asthma; (d) Bet v 1, for persistence of OAS. Conclusions: Seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis is clinically heterogeneous in its evolution from childhood to adolescence. The detection of serum IgE to specific molecules (Phl p 1, Phl p 5, Bet v 1, Pru p 3) may be useful as biomarkers to predict SAR persistence and future onset of comorbidities, such as asthma and/or OAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Schoolchildren screening for allergic diseases may improve early identification and management of atopic children. The aim of this study was to perform a schoolchildren screening program for identification of children with allergic diseases. Methods: All parents of children attending to 13 primary schools in the city of Rome were requested to fill in a demographic data form and the ChAt questionnaire. Allergological evaluation was performed in the children with suspect of allergy (ChAt score > 2). Ocular examination was performed to identify signs of allergic conjunctivitis. The presence of allergic symptoms was related to demographic and environmental variables. Results: A total of 2667 children (mean age: 7.1 ± 1 years) were included, and 2489 (93.3%) parents completed the ChAt questionnaire. Results of ChAt questionnaire showed a previous diagnosis of allergic disease in 637 (25.6%) children and the potential presence of an allergic disease (ChAt score > 2) in 35.1%. Multivariate analysis showed that older age, male gender, and having less than two siblings were associated with higher risk of allergic disease. Visual screening showed the presence of clinical signs of allergic conjunctivitis in 2% of children. Allergologic evaluation in 334 children confirmed the diagnosis of allergic disease in 324 (97%) cases. Among them, 97 (29.9%) did not refer to a previous formal diagnosis of allergic condition. Conclusions: This study confirmed that schoolchildren screening using ChAt questionnaire could represent a useful tool for early identification of yet undiagnosed atopic children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article concerning the result of the study which assesses the role played by the glutathione-S-transferase pi (GSTPI)*B gene in the development of asthma among children.