Atopy and its impact on respiratory symptoms in Italian schoolchildren

Aim of the present study was to evaluate atopic prevalence in children and its impact on respiratory symptoms in Italian schoolchildrcn. A cross-sectional evaluation was conducted in a sample of 1023 schoolchildren(462 males), aged l0-ló years,from 8 junior high schools of Palermo, Southern ltaly. All children fulfilled a respiratory questionnaire and performed spirometry and skin prick testing to common aeroallergens for mediterranean area. We found that 173 children (16.9%) were positive to one allergen, and 156 (15.3%) were positive to two or more allergens. A personal history of wheeze (W) was reported by 21.8% of children, nocturnal cough was present in 48.2o/o, exercise-induced cough in 51.3%