Demographics and Clinical Features of Children with Allergic Rhinitis:A Single-Center Study from Western Turkey

Abstract Background Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a disease that has significant effects on the quality of life of people and exhibits different phenotypic features with different clinical findings. By analyzing the data of pediatric patients, we aimed to reveal the relationship between demographic and laboratory data and clinical features and to gain awareness about allergic rhinitis phenotypes in children. Methods Demographic data, clinical complaints, examination findings, and atopy biomarkers are retrospectively analyzed to assess the impact of aeroallergens on the disease phenotype. Results In a study of 301 AR patients (median age 11 years; 66.1% male), sneezing (79.1%) was the most common complaint, and pallor of the nasal mucosa was the primary examination finding (83.1%). Seasonal symptoms were reported by 66.8%, and 60.5% were polysensitized. Notably, 42.5% had asthma, often associated with concurrent sensitization to mold or animal dander (p ≤ 0.05). Pollen was the most prevalent allergen (65.8%), with significant increases in sensitization to pollen (p < 0.001) and animal dander (p = 0.003) with age. Patients with pollen sensitization reported more sneezing (p = 0.026) and seasonal symptoms (p ≤ 0.05). Nasal congestion was predominantly seen in house dust mite-sensitized patients (78.4% with concha hypertrophy, p < 0.001). Overall, 67.1% reported seasonal complaints, with polysensitized patients experiencing more frequent seasonal exacerbations. Conclusion This study in Western Turkey involving 301 allergic rhinitis patients revealed a high prevalence of polysensitization to pollen and animal dander. The findings highlight the need for early identification and management of AR to reduce asthma risk and further research on environmental factors affecting sensitization.