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Mold allergy is a risk factor for persistent cold-like symptoms in children
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville 32610, USA.
Abstract:
In winter, children with mold allergy may develop persistent cold-like symptoms (PCLS) that often defy conventional therapy. To investigate the cause of PCLS, we enrolled 44 children (25 with PCLS and 19 controls) in a 2-year study to compare their clinical symptoms and the mold count in their homes. Children with PCLS had a higher percent of eosinophils in nasal smears as compared with those without PCLS (32% vs 26%). On a scale of 0 to 3, the PCLS group had higher symptom scores (P < 0.001 for all symptoms): bloodshot eyes (2.92 vs 0.79), mouth breathing (2.04 vs 0.68), rhinorrhea (2.48 vs 0.89), nasal voice (2.68 vs 1.00), postnasal drip (2.64 vs 0.47), and headache (2.72 vs 0.53) than the non-PCLS group. The clinical scores also correlated significantly with the mold count in the home (the r value ranged from 0.6716 to 0.7450). We conclude that management of children with PCLS should include decreasing humidity and enforcing environmental control to eradicate mold from inside the homes.
Insights
Mold allergy in children causes persistent cold-like symptoms (PCLS). Reducing home humidity and eradicating mold can effectively manage these symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Allergy and Immunology
- Environmental Health
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Children with mold allergy can experience persistent cold-like symptoms (PCLS) unresponsive to standard treatments.
- The link between indoor mold exposure and PCLS in children warrants further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between indoor mold counts and PCLS in children.
- To compare clinical symptoms and nasal eosinophil levels in children with and without PCLS.
Main Methods:
- A 2-year study involving 44 children (25 with PCLS, 19 controls).
- Comparison of clinical symptom severity scores and nasal smear eosinophil percentages.
- Correlation analysis between clinical symptom scores and home mold counts.
Main Results:
- Children with PCLS exhibited higher nasal eosinophil percentages (32% vs 26%).
- Significantly elevated symptom scores (bloodshot eyes, mouth breathing, rhinorrhea, nasal voice, postnasal drip, headache) were observed in the PCLS group (P < 0.001).
- Clinical symptom scores strongly correlated with indoor mold counts (r = 0.6716 to 0.7450).
Conclusions:
- Indoor mold exposure is a significant factor contributing to PCLS in children.
- Environmental control, including humidity reduction and mold eradication in homes, is crucial for managing PCLS.