Pathogenetic Factors in Urticaria in Children

Results of a study in 62 patients with urticaria and 30 controls, all under 12 years of age, are reported. The study involved history taking and assays of immunoglobulins A, G, M, D, E, of complement fractions C3c and C4 and estimation of Cl esterase inactivator activity in the plasma. Acute urticaria is more frequent than chronic urticaria in children, especially in subjects with atopic diathesis; papular urticaria (or strophulus infantum) is particularly frequent in children under 6 years of age and in the male. Assays of plasma immunoglobulins demonstrated selective deficiency of IgA in two and significant reduction of this immunoglobulin in a further three cases. The mean levels of IgE proved normal in chronic urticaria, raised in acute urticaria, and very high in papular urticaria. Complement assays demonstrated, in one case, a reduction of C3c below 60 mg/100 ml, persisting after the disappearance of urticaria.