Background:

Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) or pollen-fruit syndrome is a type of food allergy. Its characteristics and associated allergens vary according to the studied population. There are few studies in Mexico about this topic, none in children.

Objective:

To describe clinical and epidemiological characteristics of OAS among children in Mexico.

Methods:

A descriptive, observational, transversal and prospective study was conducted. We included every patient from 6 to 18 years old with diagnostic suspicion of OAS, in which complete clinical history, skin test to food and pollens, and oral food challenge were performed.

Results:

We found a prevalence of 5.3% (29 patients): 55% were males. Average age was 10 ± 3 years, and average number of food implicated were 6.8 ± 4.1. Apple, peach and banana, were the most frequent food associated, and sensitization to oak and European privet, the more prevalent pollens found in OAS.

Conclusion:

OAS is a common type of food allergy, transient and mild in nature. In more than 90% of the cases is associated with allergic rhinitis and sensitization to pollens. In our population, profilins may be involved in its pathogenesis. However, more studies are required to prove this.

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