• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.369-376
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• 2010

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of current body weight and body mass index (BMI) at age three and birth weight in developing chronic respiratory illness in childhood and identify possible interaction underlying its mechanism. Methods: The study was carried out with 422 children who were enrolled in a hospital-based birth cohort. Birth related anthropometric data were collected at birth. At age 3 years, the presence of respiratory symptoms was evaluated by using the Korean version of core questionnaire for wheezing and asthma from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). Physical examination was carried out to measure the child's weight and height. Results: Children in the lowest birth weight tertile (aOR = 3.97, 95% CI = 0.94-16.68) or highest BMI tertile (aOR = 3.68, 95% CI = 1.24-10.95) at three years of age were at an increased risk of chronic respiratory illness. Children who were initially in the lowest birth weight tertile but now belong in the highest weight tertile had higher risk of chronic respiratory illness compared to those who had remained in the middle tertile (OR=16.35, 95% CI=1.66-160.57). Conclusions: Children with lower birth weight or higher BMI were at an increased risk of chronic respiratory illness. In addition, children who were initially in the lowest birth weight tertile but are now in the highest weight tertile had higher risk of chronic respiratory illness compared to those who remained in the middle tertile.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.157-165
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to investigate allergic diseases related to allergy caused by the exposure to indoor and outdoor sources of air pollution in primary schools. The symptoms questionnaire of allergic diseases based on the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) was completed by the participants. The past and present status of asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, and allergic conjunctivitis were investigated by providing a questionnaire to all the participating children. Questionnaires were sent to a total of 61,350 children from 438 primary schools. A total of 40,522 children responded to the questionnaire, which represents a 66.1% return rate. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), $\underline{A}$ldehydes, and Particulate Matter ($PM_{10}$) were measured and analyzed from October to December of 2006, in 82 primary schools. The final study population comprised 35,168 children with complete data which excluded incomplete questionnaire responded by 5,354 children. Based on the survey, the level of indoor air contamination did not appear to be high, but 27.2% of the schools evaluated had exceeded the $PM_{10}$ level specified by the school health guidelines ($100\;{\mu}g/m^3$). The overall mean concentration of formaldehyde was $22.07\;{\mu}g/m^3$ and 1.0% of schools (1 school) exceeded the $100\;{\mu}g/m^3$. Statistically significant relationships have been observed between indoor air quality and prevalence rate of allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis of primary schools in Korea.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.374-380
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• 2012

Objectives: Stress is considered a causal factor in many diseases, allergic disease being one of them. The prevalence of allergic disease is increasing in Korea, but the relationship between allergic symptoms and stress is not empirically well known. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between allergy-related symptoms and stress in children and adolescents. Methods: We investigated 698 children and adolescents living in Gwangyang Bay, Korea, using a multi-stage cluster sampling method. Using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood and the Psychosocial Well-being Index, these subjects were surveyed on allergy-related symptoms and psychosocial stressors in their lives, respectively. We used a multivariate logistic analysis for odds ratios for the complaint rate of allergic symptoms, after adjusting for age, gender, household income, body mass index, and residence. Results: After adjustments, lifetime rhinitis (odds ratio [OR], 1.024), rhinoconjunctivitis (OR, 1.090), diagnosis of itchy eczema (OR, 1.040), treatment of itchy eczema (OR, 1.049), 12-month allergic conjunctivitis (OR, 1.026), diagnosis of allergic conjunctivitis (OR, 1.031), and treatment of allergic conjunctivitis (OR, 1.034) were found to be significantly associated with stress. Conclusions: Our results support the notion that there is a relationship between stress and allergic symptoms in children and adolescents. Further research into any causal relationship between stress and allergies, as well as preventative public health plans for decreasing stress in children and adolescents are needed.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.369-379
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence rate of atopic dermatitis (AD) and indoor risk factors of AD in school-aged children living in Changwon, which is one of the largest industrial cities in Korean. Data were collected from 2,118 children in 12 elementary schools in Changwon city. A cross-sectional questionnaire based on the Korean Version of the ISAAC (International Study of Allergy and Asthma in Childhood) was employed to survey the $1^{st}$ and $4^{th}$ year elementary students from the 12 elementary schools in Changwon. The life time and last 12-month prevalence of itchy eczema were 20.6%; 70.5% in the elementary children. The life time and last 12-month prevalence of AD diagnosis were 28.8%; 12.6% in the elementary children. There was only one elementary school that was abnormal in the levels of particulate matters (PM), and $Co_2$. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that risk factors for AD were BMI, the levels of PM, $Co_2$, CO, $No_2$, $O_3$, Ethylebenzene, and Xylene. This study could be used to manage possible risk factors that are related to the prevalence of AD and develop the strategies for prevention of AD.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.15-25
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• 2003

Objectives : This study aimed investigation of clinical development to child neuropsychiatry through the oriental western medical approach of child neuropsychiatric disorders Methods : As DSM-IV and ICD-10 set a standard for clinical expression. According to this standard and oriental medical diseases, child neuropsychiatric disorders are divided into six symptoms Results and Conclusion : 1. View point of oriental medicine, Psycho Somatic stroke(inclusive of the spasm) place under the category 'Epilepsy(癎)', 'Children's fit(驚風)' and 'Chi-Kyeung(?痙)'. 2. View point of oriental medicine, Mental Retardation place under the category 'Dementia(?)', 'Amnesia(健忘)' and 'Speech Disorder(語遲)' 3. View point of oriental medicine, Emotional Disorder place under the category 'Adjustment Disorder(客?)', 'Cry with anxiety at night(夜啼症)', 'Gi-Byung(?病)' and 'Child depressive Disorder(小兒癲症)' 4. View point of oriental medicine, Conduct development Disorder place under the category 'Physical frail of five part(五軟)' and 'Physical stiff of five part(五硬)'. 5. View point of oriental medicine, Childhood Psychosis place under the category 'Insanity(癲狂)'. 6. View point of oriental medicine, Somatoform Disorder place under the category 'Palpitation of the heart(驚悸)', 'Vomiting and Diarrhea(吐瀉)', 'Asthma(喘)', 'Headache(頭痛)' and 'Enuresis(遺尿)'

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.137-143
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• 2020

Traffic-related environmental factors (TREF) are a major problem in developed countries, leading to increased atopic sensitivity, allergy symptoms, and diseases. This study shows an association between traffic-related pollutants, distance of road and gas station from the children's daycare center, and allergy symptoms. Data was obtained from the 2018 survey, an ongoing allergic diseases prevalence survey for children aged 4-7 (n=1175). This survey considered 36 public daycare centers, across 6 districts in Seoul. Allergic symptoms were defined as the presence of at least 1 or more allergic diseases (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC)). TREF was derived from the distance to the nearest main roads and gas stations. Geographic data processing and variable computation were conducted using ArcGIS version 10.2. The odds ratios for allergy symptoms increased by 1.189 (1.235-2.679) times with decreasing distance to main roads and by 1.846 (1.176-2.896) times with decreasing distance to a gas station. This study concludes that main roads and gas-stations near children's daycare centers are related to the allergy symptoms in children.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.481-487
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• 2010

Purpose: Recently many studies show early exposure during childhood growth to endotoxin (lipopolysaccharides, LPS) and/or early exposure to allergens exhibit important role in development of allergy including bronchial asthma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of endotoxin and allergen exposure in early life via the airways in the pathogenesis of allergic airways inflammation and airway hyperresposiveness (AHR) in mouse model of asthma. Methods: Less than one week-old Balb/c mice was used. Groups of mice were received either a single intranasal instillation of sterile physiologic saline, 1% ovalbumin (OVA), LPS or $1.0{\mu}g$ LPS in 1% OVA. On 35th day, these animals were sensitized with 1% OVA for 10 consecutive days via the airways. Animals were challenged with ovalbumin for 3 days on 55th days, and airway inflammation, hyperresponsiveness, and cytokine expression were assessed. Measurements of airway function were obtained in unrestrained animals, using whole-body plethysmography. Airway responsiveness was expressed in terms of % enhanced pause (Penh) increase from baseline to aerosolized methacholine. Lung eosinophilia, serum OVA-IgE and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid cytokine levels were also assessed. ANOVA was used to determine the levels of difference between all groups. Comparisons for all pairs were performed by Tukey-Kramer honest significant difference test; $P$ values for significance were set to 0.05. Results: Sensitized and challenged mice with OVA showed significant airway eosinophilia and heightened responsiveness to methacholine. Early life exposure of OVA and/or LPS via the airway prevented both development of AHR as well as bronchoalveolar lavage fluid eosinophilia. Exposure with OVA or LPS also resulted in suppression of interleukin (IL)-4, 5 production in BAL fluid and OVA specific IgE in blood. Conclusion: These results indicate that antigen and/or LPS exposure in the early life results in inhibition of allergic responses to OVA in this mouse model of astham. Our data show that early life exposure with OVA and/or LPS may have a protective role in the development of allergic airway inflammation and development of allergen-induced airway responses in mouse model of asthma.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.406-417
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• 2011

Objectives: Exposure to bioaerosols in the indoor environment could be associated with a variety adverse health effects, including allergic disease such atopy. The objectives of this study were to assess children's exposure to bioaerosol in home indoor environments and to evaluate the association between atopy and bioaerosol, environmental, and social factors in Ulsan, Korea. Methods: Samples of viable airborne bacteria and fungi were collected by impaction onto agar plates using a Quick Take TM 30 and were counted as colony forming units per cubic meter of air (CFU/$m^3$). Bioaerosols were identified using standard microbial techniques by differential stains and/or microscopy. The environmental factors and possible causes of atopy based on ISAAC (International Study of Allergy and Asthma in Childhood) were collected by questionnaire. Results: The bioaerosol concentrations in indoor environments showed log-normal distribution (p < 0.01). Geometric mean (GM) and geometric standard deviation (GSD) of airborne bacteria and fungi in homes were 189.0 (2.5), 346.1(2.0) CFU/$m^3$, respectively. Indoor fungal levels were significantly higher than those of bacteria (p < 0.001). The concentration of airborne bacteria exceeded the limit recommended by the Korean Ministry of Environment, 800 CFU/$m^3$, in three out of 92 samples (3.3%) from 52 homes. The means of indoor to outdoor ratio (I/O) for airborne bacteria and fungi were 8.15 and 1.13, respectively. The source of airborne bacteria was not outdoors but indoors. GM of airborne bacteria and fungi were 217.6, 291.8 CFU/$m^3$ in the case's home and 162.0, 415.2 CFU/$m^3$ in the control's home respectively. The difference in fungal distributions between case and control were significant (p = 0.004) and the odds ratio was 0.996 (p = 0.027). Atopy was significantly associated with type of house (odds ratio = 1.723, p = 0.047) and income (odds ratio = 1.891, p = 0.041). Some of the potential allergic fungal genera isolated in homes were Cladosporium spp., Botrytis spp., Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., and Alternatia spp. Conclusions: These results suggest that there this should be either 'was little' meaning 'basically no significant association was found' or 'was a small negative' mean that an association was found but it was minor. It's a very improtant distinction. Association between airborne fungal concentrations and atopy and certain socioeconomic factors may affect the prevalence of childhood atopy.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.593-601
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• 2006

Allergic rhinitis is a common disease of childhood characterized by nasal, throat, and ocular itching, rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal congestion. Those affected with allergic rhinitis often suffer from associated inflammatory conditions of the mucosa, such as allergic conjunctivitis, rhinosinusitis, asthma, otitis media with effusion, and other atopic conditions, such as eczema and food allergies. Allergic rhinitis must be diagnosed and treated properly to prevent complications and impaired quality of life. Despite a high prevalence, allergic rhinitis isoften undiagnosed and inadequately treated, especially in the pediatric population. The first step in treatment is environmental control when appropriate. It may be difficult to eliminate all offending allergens effectively to reduce symptoms, so medications are often required. Many different classes of medications are now available, and they have been shown to be effective and safe in a large number of well-designed, clinical trials. Antihistamines are effective in treating immediate symptoms of sneezing, pruritus, watery eyes, and rhinorrhea. Second generation antihistamines are the preferred antihistamines because of their superior side effect profile. Thus, decongestants are commonly used with oral antihistamines. Intranasal corticosteroids are the most effective therapy for allergic rhinitis. Leukotriene modifier may be as effective as antihistamines in treating allergic rhinitis symptoms. Cromolyn sodium is an option for mild disease when used prophylactically, and ipratropium bromide is effective when rhinorrhea is the predominant symptom. When avoidance measures and medications are not effective, specific immunotherapy is an effective alternative. Only immunotherapy results in sustained changes in the immune system. Because of improved understanding of the pathogenesis, new and better therapies may be forthcoming. The effective treatment of allergic rhinitis in children will reduce symptoms and will improve overall health and quality of life, making a happier, healthier child.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.276-283
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• 2008

To provide the research strategy for protection of children's health from hazardous chemical, we reviewed the hazardous chemicals can be exposed through maternity, children's life style and living environment. Recently, diseases related with children's living condition were focused as asthma, atopy, childhood developmental disability, congenital malformations and obesity. Children can be exposed to hazardous chemicals through an ambient air, water, soil, food, toys and other factors such as floor dust. Also children's health was deeply related with a wrong life style and neglectful caring by a lack of knowledge and information of harmful ones at parents and child care center's nursers. According to the previous study, the chemical risk factor of children's health were identified as inorganic arsenic, bisphenol A, 2,4-D, dichlorvos, methylmercury, PCBs, pesticide, phthalates, PFOA/PFOS, vinyl chloride, et al. Domestic studies for identification of causality between children exposure to chemicals and resulted hazardous effects were not implemented. The confirmation of chemical risk factors through simultaneously performing toxicological analysis, human effect study, environmental/human monitoring, and risk assessment is needed for good risk management. And also, inter-agency collaboration and sharing information can support confirming scientific evidence and good decision making.