Relationship between allergenic trees exposure and allergy symptoms among children

Abstract

Allergic airway diseases are the most common seasonal respiratory diseases in Lithuania. Children and young people are at greater risk because they are more sensitized than adults. Children lungs and immune system are not fully developed. Furthermore, children and young people spend more time outdoors and breathe a greater amount of pollen and other air pollutants per body weight. Therefore, exposure to allergenic trees, particularly in spring when it is tree pollen peak, is important for children. The aim of this study was to determine the association between allergenic trees exposure and allergy symptoms for 4-6-year-old children in April and in May. We selected allergenic tree species in Kaunas city that produce the largest amount of high allergenic pollen: birch (Betula), alder (Alnus), hazel (Corylus), oak (Quercus), maple (Acer) and ash (Fraxinus). In the statistical analyses, we used allergenic trees amount cut-off point by terciles (first group was reference) and we assessed the effect of allergenic trees exposure on allergy symptoms among children in April and in May. The results of the study showed that the occurrence of new allergy symptoms in 4–6 year-old children in April and in May was significantly higher among children who were exposed to the highest exposure to allergenic trees. There was found an association between increased risk of allergy symptoms in children in April and in May and exposure to allergenic trees.