Post

New research · Allergy & Immunology
The Annals of otology, rhinology, and laryngology · 17h
StudyThe Annals of otology, rhinology, and laryngology · 2026

Pediatric Allergy Testing: At What Age Is It Worth It?

Meera Garg, Mikhaylo Szczupak, Pooja D Reddy … Amanda L Stapleton
Read paper
Allergy & ImmunologyStudy

Serum allergy testing before age 3 is usually negative in suspected allergic rhinitis

Pediatric Allergy Testing: At What Age Is It Worth It?

Meera Garg et al. · The Annals of otology, rhinology, and laryngology · 2026
Background

Concordance between symptoms of allergic rhinitis and allergy testing varies in young children.

Methods

This was a retrospective chart review of pediatric patients (0-18 years of age) with allergic rhinitis symptoms in an academic pediatric otolaryngology practice from 2020 to 2024.

n = 606 patients
Results

children under age 3 whose blood allergy test came back negative despite symptoms

OR 1.09 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.15)
null = 11.031.15
CI excludes the null - significant
More results

A total of 606 patients met inclusion criteria.

There were 31 patients who underwent allergy testing at <3 years and 575 patients who underwent allergy testing at ≥3 years.

Children age < 3 years demonstrated 15.1 (95% CI: 3.56-63.7) increased odds of negative allergy testing ( P < .001).

More results

In the 295 patients with positive allergy testing, the odds of poly-sensitization (≥4 allergens positive) increased with age (OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.03-1.15, P = .004).

“
Conclusion

These results can help promote cost-effective use of allergy testing in young pediatric patients with suspected allergic rhinitis by not testing prior to age 3.

Read paper
0 comments

No comments yet. Be the first.

Related papers

LatestFoundational
Cohort Study
OR 0.16
far fewer allergic skin reactions when the antiseptic was thoroughly washed off first
Cohort Study
12.2%
allergies were the most common health condition found among breastfeeding women surveyed
Cohort Study
50%
half of relevant SMBS allergies were from alcoholic drinks, mostly wine
Study
more than 50%
substituting these amino acids reduced antibody binding to the allergen by over half
Review
80%
early peanut introduction means 80% fewer children develop peanut allergies
Cohort Study
50.9%
over half of patients with inherited immune system problems and allergies had eczema
Cohort Study
OR 6.00
preterm infants with high eosinophil counts had much higher odds of feeding problems
Cohort Study
-0.12
Early chest infection led to lower lung function at age 10 for non-allergic children