The burden of atopy and asthma in children.
BACKGROUND
There has been a world-wide increase in the prevalence of atopic diseases. These atopic diseases, including asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and atopic eczema/dermatitis, are common in childhood and create a challenge of management for physicians and parents.


METHODS
MEDLINE was searched for articles related to atopy, allergy asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and atopic eczema/dermatitis.


CONCLUSIONS
The conditions of asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and atopic eczema/dermatitis cause very significant burdens regarding the discomfort to the affected individual, management problems for the parent and physician and the economic cost to the family and the nation.
O'Connell
E J
EJ
Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, MN, USA.
D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000150:complications / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000150:complications / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000150:complications / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000150:complications / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology