The Prevalence of Allergic Sensitisation in Immigrant Children in The Netherlands

Background: Differences in the prevalence of allergic sensitisation have been reported in immigrant children living in the same urban environment. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of allergic sensitisation in school children of Dutch, Turkish and Moroccan origin.

Methods: The prevalence of sensitisation to aero-allergens was assessed using the skin prick test in a non-selected sample of 512 children (response rate 54%) living in the same inner city district of Utrecht. In addition, exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) was determined.

Results: The prevalence of allergic sensitisation was dependent on the ethnic origin. As compared with Dutch children (19.1%), a higher prevalence of allergic sensitisation was observed in immigrant children for whom both parents were born in Turkey (23.6%, not significant) or Morocco (30.6%, p<0.05). The prevalence of allergic sensitisation in Dutch children was nearly 2 times lower than the reported prevalence in German children. In all sensitised children, the mean FeNO value was significantly (p<0.05) higher than in non-sensitised children, and the mean FeNO level was highest in Moroccan children sensitised to indoor allergens.

Conclusion: In The Netherlands, immigrant children show a higher prevalence of allergic sensitisation as compared to Dutch children.