Researchers in Norway have investigated the prevalence, gender differences and distribution of allergy related disorders and their association to sensitization among almost 5,000 children, 2 years of age, in a general population.

While less than 10% of those tested in the study had a positive allergy (skin prick) test, boys were found to be more likely than girls to have an allergy-related disorder.

The study featured parental self-reported questionnaire data for 4,783 two year old children regarding allergy related symptoms and results from prior allergy testing. Skin prick tests were also performed for a randomly-selected sample comprising 390 children.

In the total study population the prevalence of parental-reported wheeze was 26%, doctor diagnosed asthma was 7%, atopic dermatitis was 17% and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis was 3%. Almost 60% of 1008 children who had been allergy tested reported a positive test, but of the 390 randomly selected children, only 8% had a positive skin prick test. Children with atopic dermatitis were most frequently sensitized and children with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis were most likely to have other allergy related disorders (70%).

Reference: Smidesang et al. 2009 Pediatric Allergy and Immunology DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2009.00954.x