The Most Common Inhalation Allergens of Animals Epithelia, Pollens and Fungi in Male and Female Pediatric Patients with Allergic Renitis in Iraq

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is considered as an abnormal immune response to harmless environmental stimuli usually inhalant allergens. The most prevalent allergic disease in pediatric is AR, the prevalence of AR has gradually increased. Moreover, Inhalation allergens especially pollens are the main cause of AR. Objective: This study aimed to determine differences between sexes to the most common inhaled allergen (Animals Epithelia, Pollens and Fungi) in Pediatric Patients with allergic rhinitis in Iraq. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted during the period from January 2023 to February 2025. Allergic children age ranged from 1 to 14 years old. They were collected from many clinics in City of Iraq. The pediatric inhalation panel kit Polycheck® – Diagnostics was used to reveal to the sensitivity of 20 different allergens. Results: There were significant disparity between males and females in the positive rates regarding inhalation Allergens of pollens, males exhibited significantly higher sensitivity compared to females for 7 out of 8 pollen allergens; alder pollen (p=0.010), brich pollen (p=0.013), oka pollen (p=0.016), mugwort pollen (p=0.016), plantaine pollen (p=0.021) and timothy grass pollen (p=0.027). Rye pollen ( p=0.109) was not significant, but trended towards higher male sensitivity and Hazel pollen showed no significant difference (p=0.171). Regarding to Fungal Allergens, males showed significantly higher sensitivity to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (p=0.032), while no significant gender differences were found for the other fungal and animal epitlelia allergens. Conclusion: Male pediatric patients with allergic rhinitis in this Iraqi sample are significantly more likely to be sensitive to common environmental pollens (Birch, Alder, Oak, Timothy Grass, Mugwort, Plantain) and fungus (Dermatophagoides Pteronyssinus) compared to females.