Local Allergic Rhinitis (LAR) is an emerging disease. However, its incidence in 
the pediatric popolution has not yet been studied. The gold standard for the 
diagnosis is the nasal provocation test that is not everywhere avalaible and 
difficult to apply in children. The aim of our study was to evaluate the nasal 
lavage fluid IgE as a biomarker of LAR in children. 54 pediatric patients [IQR 
4.0-12.0 years] were divided into 3 groups: study group (26 children with 
rhinitis symptoms and without evidence of systemic atopy); allergic rhinitis 
(AR) group (15 children) and 13 healty controls (HC). Every child was subjected 
to nasal lavage using 2 ml/nostril of physiologic saline solution, that was 
therefore analyzed by ImmunoCAP to obtain the IgE concentration. Rhinofibroscopy 
and nasal cytology were performed. Our data showed the presence of higher value 
of nasal lavage fluid IgE (average of 6.005 UI/ml; range: 4.47-7.74 UI/ml) in 16 
out of 26 patients of the study group who therefore may be classified as 
affected by LAR. We observed a statistically significant difference (P< 0.0001) 
between NAR/HC group and LAR group, identifying a cut-off of 3.85 UI/ml. 
Finally, we found a better response to previous AR therapy in the LAR group than 
in the NAR group. Our data showed the high incidence of LAR in pediatric 
patients previously classified as NAR. The measurment of IgE in nasal lavage 
fluid may be considered an easy and rapid method for the diagnosis of LAR in 
children. Besides, our data add confirmatory evidence about the good response of 
LAR children to the classic AR therapy.