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[Epidemiology of allergic respiratory disorders in infants]

M Herr1, L Nikasinovic, B Clarisse

  • 1Laboratoire Santé Publique et Environnement, EA 4064-Université Paris Descartes, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Paris, France.

Revue Des Maladies Respiratoires
|January 25, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Prevalence of allergic respiratory disorders in children under three varies significantly due to differing definitions. Improved diagnostic criteria are needed for accurate infant allergy assessment and care.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Epidemiology

Context:

  • Infancy is a critical period for immune system development and the onset of allergic diseases.
  • Existing studies on allergic respiratory disorders in young children lack standardized definitions for asthma and allergic rhinitis.
  • Wheezing occurs in one-third of children under three with lower respiratory infections, but only 7% wheeze independently.

Purpose:

  • To describe the prevalence of allergic respiratory disorders in children under three years of age within the general population.
  • To highlight the challenges posed by the lack of shared definitions in epidemiological studies of infant allergic respiratory conditions.

Summary:

  • Doctor-diagnosed asthma affects 5% of children under two; asthma-like cough and bronchial obstruction symptoms are reported in 15% and 9% respectively.
  • The prevalence of allergic rhinitis in two-year-olds ranges from 1% to 30%, depending heavily on the definition employed.
  • Current definitions are evolving to include family history, personal allergy history, medication use, and biological markers of atopy.

Impact:

  • Refined definitions of infant allergic respiratory disorders are crucial for advancing epidemiological research.
  • Improved diagnostic criteria will facilitate more accurate risk identification and early management strategies for infants.
  • Standardized definitions will enhance the reliability and comparability of future studies on pediatric respiratory allergies.
Abstract

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