THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL-CHANGES ON ALLERGIC RHINITIS AMONG SAUDI CHILDREN - A CLINICAL AND ALLERGOLOGICAL STUDY

Eighty four children with allergic rhinitis out of 316 consecutive cas es were investigated, treated and followed-up for 2 years. Diagnostic skin testing were done with identified common allergens found in Saudi environment (2). Cat fur, Bermuda grass and mesquite were the most co mmon allergens found. Symptoms of recurrent rhinosinusitis, otitis med ia with effusion, tonsils and adenoids infection were commonly noticed among them. The rapid change of environment in Saudi Arabia in the fo rm of agricultural and other factors seem to play part in the increasi ng incidence of allergic manifestation in paediatric population. With antiallergic treatment and control of infection, most of these childre n responded well and only four children required surgery. The treatmen t of allergic disease saves a lot of children from unnecessary surgica l procedures usually carried out on them. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ir eland Ltd.