The Relationship between Fungal Sensitization and Month of Birth in Children with Allergies / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

PURPOSE: Fungus allergy is one of the major causes of atopic diseases. It has been suggested that the exposure to aeroallergens during early infancy is important in subsequent development of sensitization, and the prevalence of allergic diseases. In this study, we analyzed the characteristics of molds through skin prick test results and tested whether the month of birth bears any relationship to the presence of fungal sensitization in children with allergies. METHODS: We performed skin prick test with 63 allergens in 3, 044 patients with allergies who visited Yonsei University Medical Center from March 1997 to December 2002. RESULTS: Three hundred seventy (12.2%) of 3, 044 patients showed positive skin prick test results due to fungal allergens. The most common positive allergenic reaction among fungal allergens was to Alternaria (7.8%). In 370 patients with positive skin prick test results caused by fungal allergens, 77% of the patients showed positive results to Dermatophagoides farinae, 76% to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and 39% to house dust. Significant differences were observed in distribution of month of birth in subjects with fungal sensitization, with higher proportions being born in April and July. However, month of birth did not show a consistent seasonal preference in patients sensitized to mite or the non- sensitized group. CONCLUSION: Fungal sensitization is often associated with sensitization to other allergens. Month of birth seems to be related with sensitization to fungal allergens. Our results show that children born in April and July are at a higher risk of development of fungal sensitization in Korea.

The Relationship between House Dust Mite Sensitization and Month Birth Distribution in Children with Respiratory Allergy

PURPOSE: It has been suggested that the exposure to aeroallergens during early infancy after birth is important in the subsequent development of sensitization and allergic diseases. In Korea, the level of house dust mites as one of the important aeroallergens is known to be the highest in autumn. The aim of this study was to test whether the distribution of month of birth bears a relationship to the presence of mite sensitization in children with respiratory allergy. METHODS: Skin prick tests and methacholine provocation tests were performed on 1,327 patients with chronic respiratory symptoms who visited Seoul National University Children's Hospital from January 1995 to May 2002. An analysis of patients' month of birth distribution according to the presence of mite sensitization was performed. RESULTS: Atopic subjects who had at least one positive skin test numbered 864(65.1%); and non- atopic subjects numbered 463(34.9%). Among atopic subjects, 787(59.3%) had positive skin tests to mites and 77(5.8%) had positive skin test only to minor allergens. A significantly greater than expected number of mite atopic subjects were born in the months between August and November(P=0.03), however, the birth month of non-atopic subjects didn't show a consistent seasonal preference. Asthma patients numbered 543(40.9%). Among these, atopic asthmatics numbered 421(77.5%) and non-atopic asthmatics, 122(22.5%). Dust-mite atopic asthmatics numbered 387(91.9%) out of 421 atopic asthmatics. Dust-mite atopic asthmatics were born significantly higher in the season lasting from August to November in comparison to non-atopic asthmatics(P=0.002). CONCLUSION: Month of birth seems to be related with sensitization to allergens. Our results show that August to November is the risk period for the development of mite sensitization in Korea.