Recurrent upper respiratory tract infections in children and allergy. A cross-sectional study of 100 cases
Mbarek, C.; Akrout, A.; Khamassi, K.; Ben Gamra, O.; Hariga, I.; Ben Amor, M.; Zribi, S.; El Khedim, A.
La Tunisie Medicale 86(4): 358-361
2008
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-4131 PMID: 19476139 Document Number: 617542
Upper respiratory tract (URT) infections are common in children. The knowledge of their risk factors allows in some cases better management. The aim of our study is to evaluate the role of allergy in this pathology. Through a cross-sectional study about 100 children having recurrent URT infections, we evaluated the prevalence of allergy in order to find a relation between the two pathologies in general, and between allergy and each recurrent pathology. The results were compared with those of a reference group involving 164 children. Our study confirms a statistically significant association between allergy and recurrent URT infections (p=0.01), also between allergy and rhinopharyngitis (p=0.02), rhinosinusitis (p=0.001) and acute otitis media (p=0.01). Allergy represents a risk factor for recurrent URT infections, particularly for rhinopharyngitis, rhinosinusitis and acute otitis media. Adequate management of allergy may consequently be beneficial for the treatment and the prevention of these infections.