Recent changing pattern of aeroallergen sensitization in children with allergic diseases: A single center study

Purpose: Allergic diseases have been increasing worldwide over the past few decades. Allergic sensitization is a pivotal risk factor for the development of allergic diseases. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in allergic sensitization patterns of aero-allergens over the last 10 years in children with respiratory allergic diseases. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 12,848 children under the age of 18 years who received skin prick tests (n = 3,852) or serum specific IgE tests (n = 8,996) to evaluate sensitization from 2007 to 2016 in a single center, Seoul, Korea. Results: Sensitization rate to house dust mite (Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) reached a plateau in preschool (28.3%-32.8%) and schoolchildren (45.8%-47.2%). Sensitization rate to animal dander (cat and dog) was increasing from 8.4% to 12.5% in preschool children and from 10.3% to 18.6% in schoolchildren (trend P<0.001 each). In preschool children, tree (birch, oak, and alder; from 3.5% to 6.4%), grass (timothy; from 0.8% to 6.5%), weed (ragweed and mugwort; from 2.8% to 6.9%) pollens and mold (Alternaria; from 2.5% to 6.0%) were also in similar increasing pattern (trend P=0.001, P<0.001, P=0.003, and P<0.001, respectively). Additionally, tree (from 9.0% to 15.2%), grass (from 2.6% to 5.2%) pollens were also in increasing pattern in schoolchildren (trend P<0.001 and P=0.024, respectively). Conclusion: Over the past 10 years, sensitization patterns of aeroallergen have been changing in Korean children with allergic diseases. We should pay attention to the changing patterns of allergic sensitization to educate and prevent the allergic disease.