Early Pollen Sensitization in Children Is Dependent upon Regional Aeroallergen Exposure

Abstract

Introduction. Aeroallergen sensitization occurs at an earlier age than previously noted. The purpose of this paper was to identify which pollens cause early sensitization in young children presenting with rhinitis symptoms. Methods. This paper was a retrospective analysis of skin test results from 2- to 8-year-old patients presenting with a history consistent with allergic rhinitis. Patients were tested to aeroallergens common to the Great Basin along with a histamine and saline control. Pollen counts were obtained from a Reno, NV-certified counting station. Results. 123 children less than 8 years of age were identified. Over 50% of these children were sensitized to at least one aeroallergen. Chemopodaciae, timothy, alfalfa, black walnut, olive, mountain cedar and willow were predominating sensitizing aeroallergens of the Great Basin Region. Pollen counts were notable for a early spring peak for the tree season, grass season in May and weed season in August. Pollen levels continued to November at low levels. Discussion. Aeroallergens causing early sensitization differed from those which had predominately been reported in other regions of the United States. Pediatric allergists should consider performing a local review of sensitizing aeroallergens in their region to assist with identification and management of allergic rhinitis in their youngest patients. Please make style changes as appropriate.

Cedar and cypress pollen counts are associated with the prevalence of allergic diseases in Japanese schoolchildren

“…Although the prevalence of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis is generally higher in 13‐ to 14‐year‐old children than in 6‐ to 7‐year‐old children , the differences in the prevalence of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis between the two age groups were inversely associated with the cedar pollen counts. A retrospective analysis performed in the United States revealed that over 50% of children with allergic rhinitis were sensitized to at least one pollen by the age of 3 years and that the sensitization rate increased with age and plateaued by the age of 8 years . Together with our results, it is suggested that children in areas heavily exposed to cedar pollen might be sensitized to cedar pollen in early childhood, and the prevalence of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis might therefore plateau by the age of 6–7 years.…”

“…The data from these three prefectures were excluded, and the data from the 44 remaining prefectures included in the final analysis. The average values of the pollen counts per year over the past 4 years were used in this study because it may take time for children to become sensitized and develop allergic symptoms . Meteorological data were obtained from the Japan Meteorological Agency (http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/indexe.html).…”

Clinical features of allergic rhinitis in Korean children

“…16) 민감한 사람이 알레르겐에 노출된 후 알레르기 감작이 선행되어 야 알레르기비염이 발생하므로 감작되는 알레르겐은 주거지의 환 경에 의해 결정된다. 17) 또한 환경에 따라 원인 알레르겐의 종류 및 악화 요인이 다르기 때문에 국가별, 지역별, 연령별로 알레르기비염 은 그 유형과 증상이 다를 수 있다. 18,19) 그러나 소아 알레르기비염의 특징에 대한 연구는 성인에 비하여 (Fig.…”

Principales aeroalérgenos en rinoconjuntivitis alérgica en la ciudad de Temuco, Chile

“…siendo éste un alérgeno no estacional (perenne). Esto es coherente tomando en cuenta las características climáticas y geográficas de la ciudad de Temuco, donde la humedad relativa es alta lo cual favorecería el desarrollo y presencia de ácaros del polvo 18 . A su vez, esto concuerda con el alto porcentaje de pacientes que presentaron sintomatología perenne (78,4%) siendo conocido la alta sensibilidad a alérgenos intradomiciliarios como el ácaro del polvo en este perfil clínico 19 .…”

“…En relación a los pólenes, se observó una gran variedad de sensibilizaciones, sin embargo, los que afectaron a la gran mayoría de los pacientes fueron pocos, entre los cuales destacamos las gramíneas, cynodon, acedera, plantago, y abedul, y algo menos el roble pellín y el aliso. Estos resultados se correlacionan con la concentración atmosférica de los diversos pólenes en Temuco y por otra parte concuerda con los antecedentes alergénicos de estos pólenes en otras partes del mundo 20 .…”