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The Correlation Between Airborne Pollen and Sensitization in Children with Respiratory Allergic Diseases: A
Lina Xu1, Yinfang Dai1, Wenting Luo2
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
Insights
Airborne pollen significantly contributes to childhood respiratory allergies. This study links specific pollen types and seasonal peaks to increased allergic rhinitis and asthma admissions in children.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Allergy and Immunology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Pollen is a major global allergen, necessitating a deeper understanding of its role in childhood respiratory allergies for improved clinical care.
- Childhood respiratory allergic diseases are a significant public health concern, often linked to environmental exposures like airborne pollen.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of diverse airborne pollen types in southeastern China.
- To explore the correlation between specific airborne pollens and the clinical manifestations of respiratory allergic diseases in children.
- To identify key pollen allergens contributing to childhood sensitization and disease exacerbation.
Main Methods:
- Airborne pollen was collected using Durham monitoring samplers from November 2020 to October 2021.
- Skin prick tests (SPTs) were conducted on children diagnosed with respiratory allergies.
- Standardized questionnaires were administered to gather data on children's allergic symptoms.
Main Results:
- Over 36 pollen species were identified, with peak concentrations observed in spring (March-May) and autumn (September-October).
- Key spring pollens included *Broussonetia* (30.04%) and *Pinus* (26.38%); autumn pollens included *Humulus scandens* (47.55%) and Gramineae (35.93%).
- A high sensitization rate (92.7%) was observed in patients, with significant correlations found between weekly total airborne pollen counts and weekly hospital admissions for allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma.
Conclusions:
- Airborne pollen exhibits two annual peaks, highlighting distinct seasonal risks for allergic sensitization and disease.
- Specific pollens, such as *Broussonetia*, *Pinus*, *Humulus scandens*, and Gramineae, are significant contributors to childhood respiratory allergies in the region.
- Airborne pollen levels are directly associated with increased pediatric respiratory allergic disease exacerbations, emphasizing the need for targeted pollen monitoring and management strategies.
Background:
Pollen is a significant contributor to respiratory allergies worldwide, underscoring the importance of understanding its association with childhood sensitization to enhance clinical management.
Objective:
This study focuses on investigating the prevalence of various airborne pollens and their correlation with clinical characteristics of childhood respiratory allergic diseases in southeastern China.
Methods:
From November 2020 to October 2021, this research employed Durham monitoring samplers to collect airborne pollen. Simultaneously, skin prick tests (SPTs) were performed on children with respiratory allergic conditions at the Children's Hospital of Soochow University and standardised questionnaires are also administered to assess children's symptoms.
Results:
Over the course of November 2020 to October 2021, the study identified more than 36 pollen species. Notably, the spring season (March to May) exhibited the highest pollen concentrations, with Broussonetia accounting for 30.04% and Pinus for 26.38%. Similarly, the autumn months (September to October) saw prominent taxa like Humulus scandens (47.55%) and Gramineae (35.93%). Among the patients, a significant 92.7% exhibited positive reactions, with 81.7% showing sensitization to house dust mites (HMD), 17.8% to pollen, and 3.7% to Cockroach. Noteworthy the five most common pollens were observed for Bermuda (6.0%), Elm pollen (6.0%), Birch pollen (4.6%), and Mugwort (4.6%). The study indicated a substantial multisensitized ratio among pollen-sensitized patients in comparison to non-pollen-sensitized ones (97.4% vs 1.6%, P <0.001). Moreover, weekly total airborne pollen concentrations showed positive correlations with weekly admissions due to allergic rhinitis(AR)(r=0.642, P <0.001), bronchial asthma (BA) (r= 0.472, P<0.001), and the coexistence of AR and BA (r=0.485, P <0.001).
Conclusion:
The findings found that there were two peaks of pollen count in a year during March-May and September-October. The findings emphasize the critical role of specific airborne pollens in driving sensitization and exacerbating respiratory allergic diseases in children.
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