Pediatr Allergy Respir Dis.  2009 Mar;19(1):4-11.

The Association between the Concentration of Pollen and Outbreak of Pollinosis in Childhood

• Oh JW
• Kang IJ
• Kim SW
• Kook MH
• Kim BS
• Cheong JT
• Lee HB

Abstract

Pollinosis is one of the allergic diseases which caused by airborne pollens from allergic plants, such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, and allergic conjunctivitis. The distribution of pollens in the air is fully related to weather condition, especially temperature and humidity, etc. This study is focused on the evaluation of the relation between pollen count and the outbreak of allergic diseases (symptom index) from allergic patients in Korea and this data would be necessary to evaluate Korean own allergy index for pollen forecasting system. Airborne particles carrying allergens were collected daily from nationwide 8 stations (Seoul, Guri, Daejeon, Daegu, Kwangju, Busan, Kangneung, and Jeju) by using 7 days-Burkard sampler (Burkard Manufacturing Co Ltd, Hertfordshire, UK) for 10 year in South Korea (March 1, 2008-October 30, 2008). They were counted and recorded along with the weather factors. Symptom index was evaluated and recorded by calling to allergic patients daily. Airborne pollen has two peak seasons that is May and September in Korea. The peak season for mold was June. There was the tree pollen seasons from the middle of February to late July, then followed during the grasses and weed season from the middle of July to the end of October. Ragweed was one of the most common pollen of autumn in Korea. In skin prick test, Ragweed was the highest sensitization rate (5.9%), followed by Mugwort (5.8%), alder (4.9%), birch (4.8%), oak grasses among the pollen extracts in Korean school aged children. Ragweed pollen counts were gradually increased since 2000. In same period, sensitization rates for airborne pollen, especially weeds in Korean children were increased annually (1999: 4.4%, 2000: 7.1%, 2001: 7.4%, 2002: 8.5%, 2003: 7.7%). There are significantly related between symptom index from allergic patients and allergic pollen concentrations. Sensitization rates for pollens are increased in Korean children with age. There are significantly related between symptom index from allergic patients and allergic pollen concentrations. Risk Grade of pollen for allergy pollen forecast among each allergic plant was established and still remain to confirm it.

Keyword

Pollen; allergy; Symptom index; Pollinosis

MeSH Terms

Aged
Allergens
Alnus
Ambrosia
Antigens, Plant
Artemisia
Asthma
Betula
Child
Conjunctivitis, Allergic
Forecasting
Fungi
Humans
Humidity
Hypersensitivity
Korea
Lifting
Plant Extracts
Plants
Poaceae
Pollen
Republic of Korea
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial
Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal
Seasons
Skin
Weather
Allergens
Antigens, Plant
Plant Extracts