SPECIFIC IMMUNOTHERAPY IN-HOUSE DUST-MITE ALLERGIC-ASTHMA PATIENTS - A REVIEW FROM A PEDIATRIC VIEWPOINT

With special emphasis on pediatric aspects, the presently available da ta on the effectiveness and safety or specific immunotherapy with hous e dust mite extracts are reviewed. In addition to antiinflammatory tre atment and allergen avoidance, specific immunotherapy offers an approa ch to the treatment of bronchial asthma in those patients sensitized a gainst house dust mites. Controlled studies of specific immunotherapy against house dust mites show decreased symptom-medication scores and positiv effects on some lung function parameters. Therapeutic efficacy appears to be better in pediatric patients. Severe side effects seem to be rare, but are more common in patients with chronic airway obstru ction, in infants and with rush-immunotherapy.