Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 20, 2025
A Component-resolved Diagnostic Approach for a Study on Grass Pollen Allergens in Chinese Southerners with Allergic Rhinitis and/or Asthma
Published on: June 4, 2017
Retrospective analysis of epidemic thunderstorm asthma in children in Yulin, northwest China
Ying-Yang Xu1,2,3, Tao Xue4, Hui-Rong Li5
1Department of Allergy, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
Insights
Thunderstorm asthma affected children in China, particularly boys with allergic rhinitis or undiagnosed asthma. Mugwort pollen allergy was a key factor in these pediatric asthma attacks.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Environmental Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- An unusual epidemic of thunderstorm asthma occurred in pediatric patients in Yulin, China, on September 11, 2018.
- This study describes the epidemic and analyzes the demographic and clinical features of affected children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a thunderstorm asthma epidemic in pediatric patients.
- To retrospectively analyze the demographic and clinical characteristics of children involved in the epidemic.
Main Methods:
- Collected caseload data from the Yulin Pediatric Hospital information system.
- Sourced detailed medical records for hospitalized children diagnosed with thunderstorm asthma.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in emergency/outpatient visits and hospital admissions was observed during the epidemic.
- Male predominance was noted in both emergency/outpatient and inpatient departments.
- Among hospitalized children, many had no prior asthma diagnosis (56%) or a history of allergic rhinitis (67%). A high prevalence of mugwort pollen sensitization (94%) was found.
Conclusions:
- Thunderstorm asthma poses a risk to children, especially those with allergic rhinitis or unmanaged asthma.
- Mugwort pollen is identified as a significant aeroallergen contributing to thunderstorm asthma attacks in susceptible children.
- Targeted identification of mugwort-allergic children and appropriate preventive measures are crucial for managing thunderstorm asthma risks.
Background:
An epidemic of thunderstorm asthma in pediatric patients occurred in Yulin, a northwest city of China, on 11 September 2018. We described the epidemic and retrospectively analyzed the demographic and clinical aspects of the involved children.
Methods:
The caseload data of patients were collected from the hospital information system in Yulin Pediatric Hospital. The detailed document of hospitalized children with thunderstorm asthma was sourced from the medical records.
Results:
The mean number of daily visits to emergency/outpatient department and the daily admission to hospital were 2.7 and 16 times, respectively, than on the other days of September. A gender prominence of males was observed in both emergency/outpatient and inpatient department. Among the 51 hospitalized children with detailed medical records, 56% of them had never experienced or were diagnosed with asthma and 25% had confirmed diagnosis of asthma. Sixty-seven percent had a history of allergic rhinitis during August and September. Seventy-six percent of the hospitalized children presented as moderate asthma. Ninety-four percent of the pediatric patients had positive IgE against mugwort pollen and 78% were monosensitized to pollen.
Conclusion:
Thunderstorm asthma can affect children, especially who has allergic rhinitis or asthma without preventive management. Mugwort is also an aeroallergen in thunderstorm asthma attacks.
Impact:
Thunderstorm can induce asthma attacks in children with allergic rhinitis owing to mugwort and aggravate symptoms in children with confirmed diagnosis of asthma. Children with mugwort allergy are susceptible to thunderstorm asthma and a preponderance of boys was observed. Better identification of allergic children to mugwort, giving suitable protective measures during thunderstorm and standard therapy to existing allergic situation could be a benefit for children at risk of thunderstorm asthma.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications
Classification of Asthma
01:30Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
01:26Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
01:29Asthma-I: Introduction
01:20Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
01:24Antiasthma Drugs: Methylxanthines
Theophylline is thought to inhibit phosphodiesterase enzymes, increasing intracellular levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). This rise in cAMP and cGMP concentrations stimulates cardiac function,...