Supplementary Material for: Optimizing the Use of a Skin Prick Test Device on Children

Background: Studies comparing skin prick test (SPT) devices have revealed varying results in performance and there is little known about their use on children. Methods: We performed 2 complementary studies to test the sensitivity, reproducibility and acceptability of commercially available SPT devices (Stallerpoint, Antony, France) using different application techniques. In the first part, histamine/saline was put on as a drop by use of a vial (V), and in the second part it was transferred from a well with the aid of the test device (W). The techniques were as follows: apply vertical pressure (Stallerpoint-VP or Stallerpoint-WP), apply vertical pressure with 90° clockwise rotation (Stallerpoint-VC or Stallerpoint-WC) and apply vertical pressure with 90° clockwise and counter-clockwise rotations (Stallerpoint-VCC or Stallerpoint-WCC). For comparison, ALK Lancet was used with a technique of ‘drop and apply vertical pressure'. Results: In the first part, sensitivities of the Stallerpoint-VC (96.6%), Stallerpoint-VCC (95.5%) and ALK Lancet (93.2%) techniques were superior (p Conclusion: In children, the SPT technique was found to be as important as the testing device. Stallerpoint-VC and WC techniques are reliable, tolerable and comparable with the ALK Lancet technique.