Phadiatop fi no diagnÛstico de alergia respiratÛria em crianÁas: Projeto Alergia (PROAL) Phadiatop fi in the diagnosis of respiratory allergy in children: Allergy Project ñ PROAL

Objectives: To evaluate the positivity of Phadiatopfi in children from several Brazilian pediatric allergology centers and to compare its results with the presence of serum specific IgE to inhalant and food allergens. Patients and method: Phadiatopfi and serum specific IgE levels (RAST) to inhalant and food allergens (UniCAPfi - Pharmacia) were measured in 457 children from several pediatric allergy centers and in a non-allergic control group (n = 62), distributed across five age groups. Results: Phadiatop was positive in 305 atopic children (67.6%) and in 25.8% of controls (p < 0.001). Among atopic children the distribution of positive test varied according to age: 7.9% (24/305) among under 2 year-olds, 15.4% (47/305) in 2 to 3 year-olds, 22% (67/305) in 3 to 4 year-olds, 19.3% (59/305) in 4 to 5 year-olds and 35.4% (108/305) in 5 to 12 year-olds. No concordance between food allergens and Phadiatopfi was observed. Analysis of the relationship between positive inhaled allergen RASTs and positive Phadiatopfi showed best indices with house dust mites (D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae and Blomia tropicalis). Conclusions: Phadiatopfi is a useful tool for diagnosing domestic mite allergy.