Allergic diseases in preschoolers are associated with psychological and behavioural problems

Hyoung Yoon Chang1, Ju-Hee Seo, Hyung Young Kim

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Insights

Preschoolers with allergic rhinitis (AR) and atopic dermatitis (AD) show more psychological and behavioral issues, unlike those with asthma. This suggests shared mechanisms between allergies and behavioral problems.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
  • Child Psychology and Psychiatry

Background:

  • Allergic diseases like asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR), and atopic dermatitis (AD) are common in children.
  • The co-occurrence of allergic diseases with psychological and behavioral problems warrants further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between asthma, AR, and AD and psychological/behavioral issues in preschoolers.
  • To understand differences in these associations across the three major allergic diseases.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional community survey of 780 preschoolers.
  • Utilized modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood and Korean Child Behaviour Checklist.
  • Included 575 preschoolers with complete data for analysis.

Main Results:

  • Prevalence of diagnosed AR and AD was higher than asthma.
  • Internalizing and sleep problems were significantly linked to AR.
  • AD treatment in the past year correlated with attention problems and ADHD symptoms.
  • Sleep problems severity in AD related to disease severity and eosinophil levels.

Conclusions:

  • Psychological and behavioral problems are more strongly associated with allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis than asthma.
  • Findings suggest potential shared underlying mechanisms between allergic diseases and behavioral issues.
  • Highlights the need for integrated care approaches for allergic children.
Abstract

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