title: Changes in sensitization rate to weed allergens in children with increased weeds pollen counts in Seoul metropolitan area.
abstract: The prevalence of allergic diseases in children has increased for several decades. We evaluated the correlation between pollen count of weeds and their sensitization rate in Seoul, 1997-2009. Airborne particles carrying allergens were collected daily from 3 stations around Seoul. Skin prick tests to pollen were performed on children with allergic diseases. Ragweed pollen gradually increased between 1999 and 2005, decreased after 2005 and plateaued until 2009 (peak counts, 67 in 2003, 145 in 2005 and 83 grains/m(3)/day in 2007). Japanese hop pollen increased between 2002 and 2009 (peak counts, 212 in 2006 and 492 grains/m(3)/day in 2009). Sensitization rates to weed pollen, especially ragweed and Japanese hop in children with allergic diseases, increased annually (ragweed, 2.2% in 2000 and 2.8% in 2002; Japanese hop, 1.4% in 2000 and 1.9% in 2002). The age for sensitization to pollen gradually became younger since 2000 (4 to 6 yr of age, 3.5% in 1997 and 6.2% in 2009; 7 to 9 yr of age, 4.2% in 1997 and 6.4% in 2009). In conclusion, sensitization rates for weed pollens increase in Korean children given increasing pollen counts of ragweed and Japanese hop.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Joo-Hwa
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jae-Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Ha-Baik
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Seong-Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Im-Joo
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Myung-Hee
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Kook
authors.forename: Bong-Seong
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kang-Seo
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hey-Sung
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Baek
authors.forename: Kyu-Rang
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Young-Jean
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D031164:Ambrosia / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology*; D015995:Prevalence; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens