Allergic rhinitis, rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema: prevalence and associated factors in children.
OBJECTIVE
We aim to describe the data collected from India during phase 3 of the International study of asthma and allergy in childhood (ISAAC) study. Prevalence, severity, and population characteristics associated with rhinitis, rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema were assessed.


METHODS
Children from two age groups (6-7 and 13-14 years) were included in the study as per the ISAAC protocol. The symptoms of allergy and associated features were assessed using a questionnaire.


RESULTS
The prevalence of allergic rhinitis among the 6-7 years age group was 11.3%, while it was 24.4% in the 13-14 years age group. The prevalence of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis was 3.9% in the 6-7 years age group and 10.9% in the 13-14 years age group. The prevalence of eczema was 2.8% in the 6-7 years age group and 3.7% in the 13-14 years age group. The passage of trucks near home, parental smoking, use of paracetamol, use of antibiotics, cooking with firewood, and television watching were associated with allergic rhinitis, rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema. Maternal smoking was the strongest of all the associated features for allergic rhinitis, rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema, especially in the 6-7 years age group (odds ratio: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.5-2.4; odds ratio: 2.9, 95% CI, 2.2-3.9; and odds ratio: 3.5, 95% CI: 2.6-4.8, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Allergic conditions like allergic rhinitis, rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema are prevalent among Indian children and are associated with environmental tobacco smoke, paracetamol use, antibiotic use, television watching, and outdoor and indoor air pollution.
Institute of Respiratory Disease, SMS Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
Sheetu
S
Singh
Internal Medicine, SMS Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
Bharat Bhushan
BB
Sharma
Chest Research Foundation, Marigold Premises, Pune, India.
Sundeep
S
Salvi
Department of Pediatrics, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, India.
Jugesh
J
Chhatwal
Respiratory Medicine, Pioneer Medical Centre, Jodhpur, India.
Kailash Chandra
KC
Jain
Department of Pediatrics, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India.
Lata
L
Kumar
Department of General Medicine, Panjat Hospital, Mumbai, India.
Mohan Keshav
MK
Joshi
Bapuji Child Health Institute and Research Centre, J.J.M. Medical College, Davangere, India.
Suresh Babu
SB
Pandramajal
Department of Pediatrics, King George's Medical College, Lucknow, India.
Shally
S
Awasthi
Department of Pediatrics, KEM Hospital Research Centre, Rasta Peth, Pune, India.
Sheila
S
Bhave
Department of Pediatrics, St. John' Medical College and hospital, Bangalore, India.
Sylvan
S
Rego
Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Child Health, Medical College, Kottayam, India.
Thevaruparambil Unny
TU
Sukumaran
Department of Pediatrics, Dr Khatav Mother & Child Hospital, Borivali, Mumbai, India.
Vasant A
VA
Khatav
Pulmonary Medicine, Asthma Bhawan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
Virendra
V
Singh
Department of Internal Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Surendra Kumar
SK
Sharma
Department of Medicine, MAMC, Agroha, S.P. Medical College, Bikaner, India.
Mohammed
M
Sabir
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004485:Eczema / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000082:Acetaminophen
allergic rhinitis; child; eczema; rhinoconjunctivitis; smoking