Impact of allergic rhinitis in school going children

Abstract

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is the most common chronic pediatric disorder. The International Study for Asthma and Allergies in Childhood phase III found that the global average of current rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms in the 13-14 year age-group was 14.6% and the average prevalence of rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms in the 6-7 year age-group was 8.5%. In addition to classical symptoms, AR is associated with a multidimensional impact on the health related quality of life in children. AR affects the quality of sleep in children and frequently leads to day-time fatigue as well as sleepiness. It is also thought to be a risk factor for sleep disordered breathing. AR results in increased school absenteeism and distraction during class hours. These children are often embarrassed in school and have decreased social interaction which significantly hampers the process of learning and school performance. All these aspects upset the family too. Multiple co-morbidities like sinusitis, asthma, conjunctivitis, eczema, eustachian tube dysfunction and otitis media are generally associated with AR. These mostly remain undiagnosed and untreated adding to the morbidity. To compound the problems, medications have bothersome side effects which cause the children to resist therapy. Children customarily do not complain while parents and health care professionals, more often than not, fail to accord the attention that this not so trivial disease deserves. AR, especially in developing countries, continues to remain a neglected disorder.

Consideraciones sobre el sueño seguro del lactante. Resumen ejecutivo

“…1 Generalmente, son enfermedades subestimadas que deterioran la calidad de vida de niños y adolescentes, y generan ausentismo escolar, dificultades del aprendizaje y en la integración social [2][3][4][5] ( Tabla 1). Los alumnos, en la escuela, se exponen a contaminantes (tiza, vapores químicos y productos de combustión) y alérgenos.…”

“…Además, la rinitis alérgica, sin riesgo fatal, produce una gran afectación de la calidad de vida. 4 Esto hace necesario un esfuerzo educativo conjunto y definir el rol de los distintos actores sociales frente a estos escenarios.…”

“…4 Se define clínicamente por estornudos, prurito, secreción serosa y bloqueo nasal consecuentes a la inflamación de la mucosa inducida por la exposición a alérgenos. 13,14 La prevalencia en la segunda infancia es del 20,6% y, en la adolescencia, del 34,9%.…”

An important social problem: allergic rhinitis

“…Impairment in memory and cognition affects the learning process and school performance. [20] All these factors will lead to sadness, irritability and withdrawal of the children from social activities. Park et al conducted a survey on 780 pediatric patients.…”

“…Intranasal corticosteroids are the first choice since they are more effective to relief main symptoms such as nasal obstruction, nasal discharge and postnasal drip. [20] However, patients often experience problems related to the efficacy of medications. Although medication may be effective at the beginning of these drug treatments, their efficacy may decrease with time.…”