Children Allergies in Saudi Arabia: The Situation and Challenges‒ Narrative Review

Noha Farouk  Tashkandi; Aishah Saud  Alonazi; Reham Hamoud  Mahdi; Yaqeen Yahya  Muazen; Hamidah Ibrahim  Al-Shilaly

doi:10.6000/1929-4247.2025.14.01.03

Authors

Noha Farouk Tashkandi Medical Research Department, College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0249-6272
Aishah Saud Alonazi Pediatric Department, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Pediatric Department, King Salman Medical City, Madinah, Saudi Arabia
Reham Hamoud Mahdi Pharmaceutical Science Department, Riyadh Elm University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Yaqeen Yahya Muazen Pediatric Department, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia and Pediatric Department, King Fahad Hospital, Khobar, Saudi Arabia https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6475-6075
Hamidah Ibrahim Al-Shilaly Pediatric Department, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Pediatric Department, King Khalid Hospital, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia https://orcid.org/0009-0001-0164-0726

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-4247.2025.14.01.03

Keywords:

Pediatric, allergy, antihistamines, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Pediatric allergic diseases like asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, and food allergies are highly prevalent in Saudi Arabia. This narrative review synthesizes diverse evidence on the prevalence, clinical presentation, and management of pediatric allergic diseases in Saudi Arabia, highlighting gaps in knowledge and practice to inform future healthcare strategies. Studies report allergy rates between 13-45% among Saudi children. Common medications used include antihistamines, nasal steroids, bronchodilators, and topical creams. While specific immunotherapy is growing in popularity for persistent IgE-mediated conditions. This paper reviews recent literature on the burden, management strategies, treatment options, and challenges regarding pediatric allergies in Saudi Arabia. Key challenges include a lack of awareness among families and even healthcare professionals, a shortage of pediatric allergy specialists, limited accessibility, high treatment costs, and a lack of standardized protocols. However, advancements in immunotherapy and oral food desensitization provide promising prospects. More research, public health initiatives, specialized workforce capacity building, improving affordability, and national guidelines will help address this major pediatric concern in the kingdom.

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