Coexistence of Allergy and Antinuclear Antibody in Early Childhood

Abstract

Background: Allergy and autoantibody production are two abnormal conditions of the immune system, resulting from hypersensitivity. It remains unclear whether autoantibodies are also present in association with allergies that begin during early childhood. This study aims to evaluate the presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in allergic children under the age of three. Methods: Allergic children (age < 3 years; n=40) were diagnosed by a specialist based on clinical and laboratory findings. ANA levels were measured using a commercial ELISA test. Demographic data, total and specific (egg, milk) IgE levels, and blood eosinophil percentages were obtained from hospital records. The control group was composed of healthy individuals without allergies. Results: In the healthy control group, 8 individuals (8/40, 20%) were ANA positive, while 17 allergic children (17/40, 42.5%) tested positive for ANA (p<0.05). ANA positivity was observed in 8 children with an egg allergy, 2 children with a milk allergy, 4 children with both egg and milk allergies, and 3 children with an unknown allergy cause. No significant correlation was found between ANA positivity, IgE levels, and eosinophil percentages (p>0.05). Additionally, no relationship was found between ANA levels and the presence of itching or eczema in allergic children. Conclusions: This study suggests that the relationship between allergies and ANA positivity begins in early childhood and recommends that future studies on the potential interactions of these two conditions should focus on this critical period. Additionally, further research is needed to determine whether both immune anomalies are regulated by similar mechanisms.