Prevalence and risk factors of allergic rhinitis in pediatric population

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) significantly affects the pediatric population, with rising prevalence rates and substantial impacts on quality of life. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in children and identify key risk factors contributing to its development. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and identify the risk factors of allergic rhinitis in the pediatric population. Methods: This retrospective observational study involved 150 pediatric patients with allergic rhinitis symptoms at the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, and the Department of Pediatric Medicine, Bashundhara Ad-din Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. Inclusion criteria comprised children aged 1 to 18 years with allergic rhinitis symptoms. Demographic data, risk factors, and comorbidities were collected and analyzed using SPSS 22.0. Result: The study included 150 pediatric patients, predominantly male (64.00%), with the majority aged 6-12 years (46.67%) and residing in urban areas (69.33%). Allergic rhinitis was present in 70.00% of the patients, with a significant association to family history, high environmental exposure, and passive smoke exposure. Among those diagnosed with allergic rhinitis, comorbidities were common, with 45.71% having asthma, 50.00% having eczema or atopic dermatitis, and 24.29% having conjunctivitis. Conclusion: This study shows that 70% of pediatric patients with allergic rhinitis are mainly males aged 2 to 12 years, with significant risk factors being family history and environmental exposure, alongside common comorbidities like asthma and eczema.