Yonsei Med J.  2005 Oct;46(5):629-634. 10.3349/ymj.2005.46.5.629.

Atopy and House Dust Mite Sensitization as Risk Factors for Asthma in Children

• Shin JW
• Sue JH
• Song TW
• Kim KW
• Kim ES
• Sohn MH
• Kim KE

• KMID: 2158141
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2005.46.5.629

Abstract

Asthma is commonly described as an atopic disease in childhood, but some cases of this disorder do not fit this description. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of atopy, asthma, and sensitization to house dust mites in children with allergic symptoms. This study was performed at the Severance Hospital of Yonsei University with patients who visited the allergy clinic for evaluation of nonspecific upper respiratory symptoms, typical symptoms of asthma, or a general health workup. The patients were divided into three age groups: 0-3 years (group 1), 4-7 years (group 2), and 8-12 years (group 3). Of the 1, 244 children examined, 844 (67.8%) were atopic and 400 (32.2%) were non-atopic. The frequency of atopy and asthma increased with age. Asthma was diagnosed in the same proportion (64%) of atopic and non-atopic children. As risk factors for asthma symptoms, the positive values of house dust mite (HDM) sensitivity were significantly increased in groups 1, 2, and 3 to 53.5%, 68.9%, and 80.2%, respectively. A significant difference between the percentage of asthmatics sensitized to HDM and that of asthmatics not sensitized to HDM was found only in group 3. In conclusion, asthma is related to atopy with increasing age, and house dust mite sensitization seems to be an important determinant of asthma in older children in Korea.

Keyword

Asthma; atopy; house dust mite

MeSH Terms

Risk Factors
Retrospective Studies
Mites/*immunology
Male
Infant, Newborn
Infant
Hypersensitivity/*complications
Humans
Female
*Dust
Cross-Sectional Studies
Child, Preschool
Child
Asthma/*etiology
Animals