Original Article

Skin-prick testing as a diagnostic aid for childhood asthma

  1. E.Y. Chan MRC, PCH1,
  2. I. Dundas PhD1,
  3. P.D. Bridge MSc1,
  4. M.J.R. Healy PhD2,
  5. S.A. McKenzie MD, FRCPCH1,*

Article first published online: 13 APR 2005

DOI: 10.1002/ppul.20227

Issue

Pediatric Pulmonology

Pediatric Pulmonology

Volume 39, Issue 6, pages 558–562, June 2005

Additional Information

How to Cite

Chan, E., Dundas, I., Bridge, P., Healy, M. and McKenzie, S. (2005), Skin-prick testing as a diagnostic aid for childhood asthma. Pediatric Pulmonology, 39: 558–562. doi: 10.1002/ppul.20227

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, Royal London Hospital, London, UK

  2. 2

    Institute of Education, Bedford Group, London, UK

*Institute of Education, Bedford Group, 20 Bedford Way, London WC1 0AL, UK.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 27 APR 2005
  2. Article first published online: 13 APR 2005
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 7 FEB 2005
  4. Manuscript Revised: 11 JAN 2005
  5. Manuscript Received: 14 OCT 2004

Funded by

  • Asthma UK

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Keywords:

  • atopy;
  • skin prick test;
  • diagnosis of asthma;
  • children

Abstract

Diagnosing asthma is problematic when based solely on reported symptoms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate skin-prick testing as a diagnostic aid for asthma in children. Skin-prick testing (SPT) was undertaken in children aged 2–10 years with either no history of wheeze (n = 149) or recent doctor-observed wheeze which responded to treatment with a bronchodilator, the “gold standard” (n = 164). Children with moderate or severe asthma were excluded. SPT positivity increased sharply at age 5 years in wheezers. Data were therefore divided into two age groups: 2–<5 years (57 controls, 97 wheezers) and 5–10 years (92 controls, 67 wheezers). The sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios of SPT positivity for wheeze were 32%, 89%, and 2.9, respectively, in the younger children, and 82%, 85%, and 5.5, respectively, in the older children. For a prevalence of 30% for asthma, the positive predictive values of a positive SPT were 55% and 70% for the younger and older age groups, respectively. The test characteristics of SPT for helping diagnose asthma in schoolchildren are good. The prevalence of wheeze in preschool children is high, and so SPT should be helpful even in this group. We suggest that clinicians consider skin-prick testing as a diagnostic aid for asthma. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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