Immunoglobulin IgG, IgM, IgA, and IgE Levels in Children with Chronic Sinusitis

Sinusitis is a common disease in children that can lead to acute and chronic problems and sometimes severe complications. There is lack of evidence on underlying causes of chronic sinusitis in children in Iran, so, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of humoral immune deficiency in patients with chronic sinusitis.

This cross-sectional study was performed in all children aged 3 to 14 years old with allergic reactions of the upper respiratory tract for more than 12 weeks who attended Amirkola Children Hospital. All patients were evaluated for serum immunoglobulin concentrations (IgM, IgE, IgA, and IgG) by immunoturbidimetric technique.

Out of 120 children studied, 79 were males and the patients’ mean age was 6.9 ± 2.9 years. Humoral immunity was found in 49% of children with chronic sinusitis. Elevated IgE was seen in 54 (45%) patients and 12 patients were observed with low levels of IgA (10%). Seven patients had both IgE and IgA deficiency and 10% of immunocompromised patients had IgA deficiency. Sinusitis was more prevalent in fall. The highest incidence was in patients aged 5-9 years old. There was a significant relationship between elevated IgE and season (P=0.013).

Our study showed that immunoglobulin abnormality is relatively common and expected in children with sinusitis.