Background/aim: Although OAS (oral allergy syndrome) during childhood is believed to be rare, it seems to be increasing these days. METHODS, SUBJECTS: We here report 16 cases of childhood OAS, which were diagnosed, in our division. In addition to these reports, we investigated the rate of sensitization against four major pollens (Japanese cedar, orchard grass, short ragweed, alder) among 1067 pediatric patients with allergic diseases (median age: 4 years old) in our division. The sensitization was examined by IgE CAPRAST and above class 2 was judged as positive sensitization.
Results: OAS in childhood differs from that in adulthood in some ways. One is that childhood OAS does not always accompany with pollinosis. The most frequent allergen in our study was kiwi fruits followed by tomato, orange and melon among these patients. The sensitization rate against alder was equivalent as that against orchard grass and short ragweed, but less than that against Japanese cedar.
Conclusion: Childhood OAS may have different mechanisms from adulthood OAS which almost always accompanies with pollinosis or latex allergy.