Page 44 - Livre électronique du Congrès CNP 2021

P9 RESPIRATORY ALLERGY AMONG LOW BIRTH WEIGHT

CHILDREN

Khansa Derbel, Fatma Guezguez, Fida Allaya, Sonia Rouatbi

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSIOLOGY AND FUNCTIONAL EXPLORATIONS FARHAT HACHED HOSPITAL, SOUSSE, TUNISIA

Introduction:

The epidemiology of allergies in pediatric populations is largely a research topic. The impact of
birth weight on developing respiratory allergies remains speculative.

Aim:

To investigate the association between birth weight and prevalence of respiratory allergies using
prick tests results among Tunisian children.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study included 269 children aged 1 to 15 years old. They were referred to our
department in 2019 for a suspected respiratory allergy. Their mothers were asked about family
history of atopy, birth weight, potential premature birth or neonatal distress. Low birth weight was
estimated<2500g. The children were examined for clinical signs of allergy or asthma, and were
subjected to a skin prick test using the common allergens in our country: mites, olive, cockroach,
cat, dog, cypress, mild and cultivated grasses.

Results:

Mean age was 6.8±3.4 years. Family history of atopy and exposure to passive smoking were
found in 166 (61.7%) and 140 (52%) children, respectively. Twenty four (8.9%) had premature
birth and 53 (19.7%) needed hospitalization in a neonatology department. Mean birth weight was
3190.9±660.6 g. Low birth weight was found in 42 (15.6%) children. Skin prick test were positive
among 123 (45.7%) children, mainly for mites (82.9%). Neonatal distress, as well as low birth
weight had a significant impact on prick test results (p=0.004 and 0.003, respectively).

Conclusion:

Low birth weight and neonatal distress were associated with high risk of developing respiratory
allergies that could be due to lung development problems and early exposure to antibiotics.

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