THE CLINICAL EFFICACY OF SUBLINGUAL ALLERGEN-SPECIFIC IMMUNOTHERAPY IN CHILDREN AGED 3-5 YEARS

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of sublingual allergen–specific immunotherapy (SLIT) in Ukrainian children younger than 5 years old with allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma sensitized to house dust mite allergens. Material and methods: Four hundred and fifty children aged 28 months up to 5 years with rhinitis or asthma were examined. One hundred and twenty five children sensitized to house dust mites Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and/or Dermatophagoides farina were included. In vivo and in vitro tests were made with a standard inhalant allergens panel. Results: The high information value of molecular diagnostics methods applied prior to prescription of the given therapy in children is analyzed. It has been found that in children under 5 sensitized to allergens of house dust mites Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and/or Dermatophagoides farinae the application of sublingual allergen–specific immunotherapy therapy allows gaining control over the symptoms of the disease during the first 6 months. Conclusion: The high safety of SLIT in children has been proven. Comparative analysis in the group of patients not receiving SLIT shows a high frequency of symptoms of the disease after “free-of-symptoms interval” against full or partial baseline therapy denial.