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Increased sensitization rate to tree pollen of allergic children and altered pollen season in Seoul metropolitan area, Korea
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  • Kyung Suk Lee,
  • Kyunghoon Kim,
  • Young-Jin Choi,
  • Seung Yang,
  • Chang-Ryul Kim,
  • Jin-Hwa Moon,
  • Kyu Rang Kim,
  • Yung-Seop Lee,
  • Jae-Won Oh
Kyung Suk Lee
Hanyang University

Corresponding Author:lksallergy@gmail.com

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Kyunghoon Kim
Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine
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Young-Jin Choi
Hanyang University College of Medicine
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Seung Yang
Hanyang University College of Medicine
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Chang-Ryul Kim
Hanyang University College of Medicine
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Jin-Hwa Moon
Hanyang University College of Medicine
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Kyu Rang Kim
National Institute of Meteorological Sciences
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Yung-Seop Lee
Dongguk University College of Natural Science
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Jae-Won Oh
Hanyang University College of Medicine
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Abstract

Introduction: Children with allergy may increase a chance to sensitize the allergic pollens with several environmental changes. Purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation with alternation of pollination associated with meteorological changes and increased sensitization rate of pollen allergens of children in Seoul metropolitan area, Korea. Methods: There were recruited 8,295 children who visited the pediatric allergic clinics at Hanyang University Seoul and Guri Hospital for allergy symptoms from January 1st, 1998 to December 31st, 2019. The pollen was collected by Burkard 7 days-sampler in 2 hospitals during the study. Meteorological data was investigated from Korea Meteorological Administration. Results: Allergic sensitization of oak, hazel, and alder pollens had the highest rate of increase among major tree pollens, an increase of 0.28% annually. The sensitization rate to pollen was increased with younger age group yearly. The duration of pollen season was 98 days in 1998, but 140 days in 2019. The duration of the pollen seasons and pollen sensitization rate to trees were positively correlated. The relationship between the sensitization rate to pollens and accumulated temperature were also correlated, positively. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the correlation between the weather changes and consequent changes of pollen seasons with increasing the sensitization rate to allergic pollens in children in Seoul metropolitan area. In addition, there was an increase in the sensitization rate in younger age group from year to year. Continuous changes in distribution of pollens raised from meteorological changes are expected from now on.
01 Dec 2020Submitted to Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
03 Dec 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
18 Dec 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
21 Dec 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Major
03 Feb 20211st Revision Received
05 Feb 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
08 Feb 2021Editorial Decision: Accept