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

ABSTRACT

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.