Pediatria pre prax 3/2008

TREATMENT OF ALLERGIC RHINITIS

The principles of rhinitis allergica treatment in children are similar to those in adults; special care should be taken, to avoid the side effects of drugs. Non-pharmacologic treatment involves education of the family and the child about the nature of the disease and about the avoidance of allergens and irritants from the environment. Allergen specific subcutaneous immunotherapy is not usually recommended before the age of five years, sublingual immunotherapy in children with allergic rhinitis may possibly prevent later development of asthma. The evidence available from studies indicates that slowing of linear growth can occur in children treated with intranasal corticosteroids. There is a possibility of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression by fluticason, beclomethasone and budesonide intranasal treatment which, however, does not appear clinically significant at most patients. Any child receiving topical corticosteroids should undergo regular monitoring of growth at 4-month intervals during the first year of treatment, and at 6-month intervals thereafter.

Keywords: allergic rhinitis, allergen, intranasal corticosteroids, side effects