Recent advances in diagnosis and therapy of allergic rhinitis and asthma in childhood.

Some of the most recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of childhood asthma and allergies are here reviewed. New perspectives have been opened by in vitro diagnostic tests for allergies based on a molecular approach and novel approaches to in vivo tests (SPT or FE(NO)). A better characterization of the patients is opening new classifications of allergic asthma and rhinitis phenotypes, which allow personalizing management disease programs and targeting pharmacotherapy. Educational programs and better communication are improving awareness and compliance with medical prescriptions and adherence to guidelines. Increasing information is being acquired on the mechanisms, efficacy and safety profiles of anti-asthma and anti-allergic drugs, including antihistamines, inhaled corticosteroids, long acting beta agonists, antibiotics, anti-IgE antibodies. Progress in biotechnologies is fostering new approaches to allergen-specific immunotherapy (subcutaneous, sublingual) concerning the quality, mechanisms, efficacy and safety of allergen products.