7/24/2019 Epidemiologic Surveys Indicate That the Familial Trait
for Allergy is Inherited as Autosomal Recessive
1/2
Epidemiologic surveys indicate that the familial trait for
allergy is inherited as
autosomal recessive. Whereas the frequency of
positive allergy skin tests is similar in boys and girls, asthma
is twice as common in
males as in females prior to adolescence, but it appears
equal in prevalence thereafter. A specic immune response gene
has been
identied for IgE antibody synthesis in rodents, but it has not
yet
been demonstrated conclusively in humans. With the recent
advances in molecular
genetics, it is anticipated that the genetic basis of
allergy
will be understood better in the near future.
Allergens sensitie by several potential routes and are
categoried as inhalants,
ingestants, in!ectants, and contactants "#able $%.
It is important for the physician to dene the route by which any
specic allergenprovokes clinical allergy in individual
patients.
&f the inhalant IgE'mediated allergies, allergic rhinitis is
by far the most common,
a(ecting appro)imately $*+ of all children.
Asthma, of which -+ has an allergic inhalant basis, occurs in
more than *+ of
children. astrointestinal "ingestant% allergy typically is
associated with food allergy/ however, ingestants also may
provoke urticaria and
atopic dermatitis and less often may trigger respiratory
symptoms. Anaphyla)is is a systemic generalied allergic response
consisting ofhypotension, urticaria, and angioedema as well as
upper
and lower airway obstruction/ it can be caused by severe
allergic reactions to foods
"ingestant%, insect venom stings "in!ectant%, or
01234I5E63A78ournals39ediatrics * :inute ;eview3
