Volume : 12, Issue : 06, June – 2025
Title:
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF THE EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF ALLERGEN-SPECIFIC IMMUNOTHERAPY IN CHILDREN WITH ALLERGIC RHINITIS AND ASTHMA
Authors :
Hassan Abdullah Alhashem, Fatimah Sami Alkhalifah, Ibrahim abdulmonem almajed , Ekram Sami Alkhalifah , Sumayyah Rudda Altalhi , Anwar Sami Alkhalifah
Abstract :
Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma are common chronic allergic diseases in children that significantly affect quality of life and daily functioning. Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT), including subcutaneous (SCIT) and sublingual (SLIT) forms, has emerged as a disease-modifying treatment aimed at long-term relief and potential cure.
Objective: To systematically review the efficacy and safety of allergen-specific immunotherapy in pediatric patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Embase for studies published between 2000 and 2024. The review included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, and meta-analyses involving children aged ≤18 years receiving SCIT or SLIT for allergic rhinitis and/or asthma. Outcome measures included symptom improvement, medication reduction, adverse events, and long-term benefits.
Results: A total of 18 studies were included, comprising 12 RCTs and 6 observational studies. Both SCIT and SLIT significantly reduced symptoms and medication use in children with allergic rhinitis. SLIT demonstrated a favorable safety profile, especially in younger children. For asthma, AIT was found to reduce bronchial hyperreactivity and improve lung function in mild-to-moderate cases. Long-term follow-up studies indicated sustained benefits up to 5 years after treatment cessation.
Conclusion: Allergen-specific immunotherapy is an effective and generally safe treatment for children with allergic rhinitis and mild-to-moderate asthma. It can reduce symptoms, minimize medication use, and potentially alter the natural course of allergic disease. Careful patient selection, adherence to treatment protocols, and monitoring for adverse effects are essential to maximize therapeutic outcomes.
Cite This Article:
Please cite this article in press Hassan Abdullah Alhashem et al., Systematic Review Of The Efficacy And Safety Of Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy In Children With Allergic Rhinitis And Asthma, Indo Am. J. P. Sci, 2025; 12(07)..
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