[Childhood allergic rhinitis]

Abstract

Allergic rhinitis is the most common chronic disease in children. This frequency is in strong progress. According to ISAAC' study, it concerns a child (6/7 years) on four and a teenager on two. The seasonal rhinitises are generally well treated. Perennial allergic rhinitises are chronic and often neglected. They are more often complicated or associated to asthma which represents the major evolutionary risk. In a general way, allergic rhinitis are sub-diagnosed and untreated while we have more and more effective therapeutic means. Although allergic rhinitis is not considered as a severe disease, its echo on children's quality of life, physical and psychological well-being, and capacity to learn. It has also important socio-economic consequences. A better coverage is imperative itself as far as the diagnosis based on the symptoms and the allergy cutaneous tests which are easy. The options for treating allergic rhinitis in the child are not so different as those for adult. Complete avoidance of inhalant allergens is not always possible and medication are quite always possible. Intranasal corticosteroids are sometimes prescribed. In persistent disease, allergen immunotherapy may be considered according to the last OMS consensus statement.