SURVEY OF HAY-FEVER IN ISRAELI CHILDREN

Abstract

Central and Southern Israel have a desert climate (8 dry months/year) with Mediterranean influences along the sea-shore and very rich grass vegetation (all planted and artifically irrigated). Children, especially those in rural settlements (Kibbutzim and Moshavim), spend much of their day-time from the early weeks of their lives on the lawns. In order to investigate environmental influences on the clinical pattern of hay-fever (H.F) we examined 86 children presenting with typical H.F. for: age of onset and severity of symptoms, as well as IgE levels and skin tests to 20 allergens. Out of 46 children living in rural areas, H.F. symptoms in 36 began between 2-4 years of age, 9 between 5-7, and 1 at age 10yrs. 24 cases had positive skin tests to more than 3 pollen extracts, and 21 to less than 3. Out of the 40 children living in cities, 10 developed H.F. between 2-4 years, 9 between 5-7, 16 between 8-11 and 6 between 12-15 years. 6 had positive skin tests to more than 3 pollens and 35 to less than 3. Severity of symptoms and IgE levels did not differ between rural and city children, Conclusions: atopic children living in rural areas with desert climate and irrigated vegetation, develop more sensitivities to grass pollens (P<0.005) and earlier H.F. symptoms (P<0.005) than city children in the same climate. All our children (rural and city) develop H.F. at earlier ages than reported in the literature.

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