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New research · Allergy & Immunology
The Annals of otology, rhinology, and laryngology · 18h
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
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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.

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