Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 8, 2026
Effects of Exposure of Formaldehyde to a Rat Model of Atopic Dermatitis Induced by Neonatal Capsaicin Treatment
Published on: September 27, 2017
The Impact of Early-Life, Long-Term Exposure to Ambient Particulate Matter on Atopic Dermatitis Remission and
Sukyung Kim1, Inbo Oh2, Jaeyoung Choi3
1Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Insights
Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM) may worsen infant atopic dermatitis (AD) and increase pollen sensitization. This risk is higher in infants with moderate AD, potentially reducing remission rates.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatrics
- Dermatology
Background:
- Limited research exists on the link between long-term ambient particulate matter (PM) exposure and childhood atopic dermatitis (AD).
- Investigating this association is crucial for understanding environmental impacts on infant skin health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the effect of long-term exposure to ambient particulate matter with an aerodiameter < 10 µm (PM₁₀) on atopic dermatitis (AD) persistence and aeroallergen sensitization in infants.
- To assess whether early-life PM₁₀ exposure influences AD remission rates and allergic sensitization by age 3.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study followed 150 infants (0-1 years) with AD until age 3 in Seoul, Korea.
- Individual long-term PM₁₀ exposure was estimated using a fusion model based on home addresses.
- Cox proportional hazard regression models analyzed the association between PM₁₀ exposure and AD persistence/sensitization, adjusting for confounders.
Main Results:
- Overall, PM₁₀ exposure was not significantly linked to AD persistence (HR 1.04, P=0.267).
- However, increased PM₁₀ exposure significantly raised persistence risk in infants with moderate AD at enrollment (HR 1.19, P=0.007).
- PM₁₀ exposure was associated with higher pollen sensitization (HR 1.12, P=0.043), particularly in moderate AD cases (HR 1.31, P=0.005), but not with house dust mite or pet allergies.
Conclusions:
- Early-life, long-term exposure to PM₁₀ may reduce AD remission rates in infants.
- PM₁₀ exposure is linked to increased pollen sensitization in infants with AD, especially those with moderate severity.
- Findings highlight the potential impact of air pollution on infant allergic disease development.
Background:
Studies that examine a link between long-term exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM) and atopic dermatitis (AD) in children are lacking. This longitudinal study aimed to investigate the effect of long-term exposure to PM on AD in infants.
Methods:
We enrolled 150 infants aged 0-1 years with AD and followed them until age 3 in Seoul, Korea. We assessed long-term exposures to ambient particulate matter with an aerodiameter < 10 µm (PM₁₀) from birth to age 3 using a fusion model based on each individual's home address. Effects of long-term exposure to PM₁₀ on AD persistence and sensitization to aeroallergens were evaluated using Cox proportional hazard regression models after adjusting for potential confounders.
Results:
Of the 150 infants, 54 (36.0%) showed remission of AD by age 3. Overall, long-term exposure to PM₁₀ was not significantly associated with AD persistence at age 3 (hazard ratio [HR], 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97-1.12; P = 0.267 per 1 µg/m³). However, when stratified by the baseline AD severity, increased exposure to PM₁₀ significantly elevated the risk of persistence in children with moderate AD at enrollment (HR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.05-1.36; P = 0.007). Long-term exposure to PM₁₀ was also associated with an increased overall risk of sensitization to pollen (HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.00-1.24; P = 0.043), with a more pronounced effect in children with moderate AD (HR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.08-1.58; P = 0.005). However, no significant association was observed between PM₁₀ exposure and sensitization to house dust mite or pet allergens.
Conclusion:
An early-life long-term exposure to ambient PM₁₀ in infants with AD may decrease the remission and increase the sensitization to pollen at age 3.
Related Concept Videos
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.
02:06Allergic Reactions
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:
01:24Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications
Classification of Asthma
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.