Pet Ownership Increases the Exhaled Nitric Oxide and Asthma Severity in Children With Atopic Asthma.

Exposure to pets can trigger symptoms in asthmatic children sensitized to pets. However, little is known about the association between pet ownership and asthma morbidity in children who are not sensitized to pets. We aimed to investigate the effect of pets on lung function, airway inflammation, and morbidity in children with asthma, and to determine whether the effect of exposure to pets vary based on pet sensitization status.

Longitudinal Trajectories of Asthma and Allergic Comorbidities in the Korean Childhood Asthma Study.

Purpose: Studies on the longitudinal clinical features of asthma or allergic comorbidities in children are limited. We aimed to examine the trajectories of asthma and allergic comorbidities and determine whether these trajectories differ according to clinical asthma phenotypes from birth to adolescence.

Methods: We enrolled 958 children with physician-diagnosed asthma from the Korean childhood Asthma Study (KAS) cohort.

Atmospheric environment and persistence of pediatric asthma: A population-based cohort study.

Background: Asthma is a heterogeneous disease with different outcomes. For children with asthma at the age of 7 years, 67-75% are symptom-free as adults. Data on the important link between childhood and adult asthma are sparse.

Fetal growth rather than prematurity determines lung function in children with asthma.

Background And Objective: Preterm birth or fetal growth has been associated with reduced lung function and asthma during childhood in the general population. We aimed to elucidate whether prematurity or fetal growth has a significant influence on lung function or symptoms in children with stable asthma.

Methods: We included children with stable asthma who participated in the Korean childhood Asthma Study cohort.

Assessment of variables associated with prolonged admission duration in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.

Introduction: Macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MRMP) has become prevalent in children. This study investigated the clinical and laboratory variables of MRMP and macrolide-sensitive M. pneumoniae (MSMP) and identified factors associated with prolonged hospital admission in children.

Longitudinal asthma exacerbation phenotypes in the Korean childhood asthma study cohort.

Background: Asthma exacerbation (AE) leads to social and economic costs and long-term adverse outcomes. We aimed to predict exacerbation-prone asthma (EPA) in children.

Methods: The Korean childhood Asthma Study (KAS) is a prospective nationwide pediatric asthma cohort of children aged 5-15 years followed every 6 months.

Analysis of national surveillance of respiratory pathogens for community-acquired pneumonia in children and adolescents.

Background: Respiratory infections among children, particularly community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), is a major disease with a high frequency among outpatient and inpatient visits. The causes of CAP vary depending on individual susceptibility, the epidemiological characteristics of the community, and the season. We performed this study to establish a nationwide surveillance network system and identify the causative agents for CAP and antibiotic resistance in Korean children with CAP.

Eosinophil-derived neurotoxin: An asthma exacerbation biomarker in children.

Asthma is a heterogeneous disease, characterized by chronic airway inflammation. Asthma exacerbations (AE) are episodes characterized by a progressive increase in symptoms of shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, or chest tightness with a decrease in lung function. There have been previous studies that examined the role of eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) in asthma, but there have been no studies of the role of EDN in children experiencing AE.

Clinical Characteristics of Macrolide-Refractory Pneumonia in Korean Children: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

is a major causative pathogen of community-acquired pneumonia in children, and the treatment of choice is macrolides. There is an increasing trend in reports of refractory clinical responses despite macrolide treatment due to the emergence of macrolide-resistant . Early discrimination of macrolide-refractory pneumonia (MrMP) from macrolide-sensitive pneumonia (MSMP) is vital; however, testing for macrolide susceptibility at the time of admission is not feasible.

Annual and seasonal patterns in etiologies of pediatric community-acquired pneumonia due to respiratory viruses and Mycoplasma pneumoniae requiring hospitalization in South Korea.

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the leading worldwide causes of childhood morbidity and mortality. Its disease burden varies by age and etiology and is time dependent. We aimed to investigate the annual and seasonal patterns in etiologies of pediatric CAP requiring hospitalization.

Level of interleukin-18 binding protein is significantly different in patients with anaphylaxis than urticaria.

Background: Acute urticaria is a common cutaneous disease encountered in children, while anaphylaxis can show cutaneous symptoms as well as systemic symptoms. One study found that urticaria tends to precede anaphylaxis, but studies on the different role of eosinophils and related cytokines in anaphylaxis and urticaria are lacking.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical features, total eosinophil count, serum levels of interleukin (IL)-18, IL-18 binding protein (BP), IL-1 receptor-like (RL) 1, and IL-33 and compare with tryptase to examine if any differences could be found between patients who experienced anaphylaxis and urticaria.

Associated Factors for Asthma Severity in Korean Children: A Korean Childhood Asthma Study.

Purpose: Childhood asthma has a considerable social impact and economic burden, especially in severe asthma. This study aimed to identify the proportion of childhood asthma severity and to evaluate associated factors for greater asthma severity.

Methods: This study was performed on 667 children aged 5-15 years with asthma from the nationwide 19 hospitals in the Korean childhood Asthma Study (KAS).

Current Status of Patient Education in the Management of Atopic Dermatitis in Korea.

Patient education is important for successful management of atopic dermatitis; however, due to limited time and resources, patient education remains insufficient. This study aimed to investigate the current state of education provided by Korean dermatologists, pediatric allergists, and allergists to patients with atopic dermatitis. A questionnaire survey consisting of items regarding educational programs for patients with atopic dermatitis was conducted via e-mail.

Asthma control test reflects not only lung function but also airway inflammation in children with stable asthma.

Various numerical asthma control tools have been developed to distinguish different levels of symptom control. We aimed to examine whether the asthma control test (ACT) is reflective of objective findings such as lung function, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and laboratory data in patients with stable asthma. We included patients who were enrolled in the Korean Childhood Asthma Study.

Korean childhood asthma study (KAS): a prospective, observational cohort of Korean asthmatic children.

Background: Asthma is a syndrome composed of heterogeneous disease entities. Although it is agreed that proper asthma endo-typing and appropriate type-specific interventions are crucial in the management of asthma, little data are available regarding pediatric asthma.

Methods: We designed a cluster-based, prospective, observational cohort study of asthmatic children in Korea (Korean childhood Asthma Study [KAS]).

Multicenter Adherence Study of Asthma Medication for Children in Korea.

Purpose: Adherence is a major component of successful medical treatment. However, non-adherence remains a barrier to effective delivery of healthcare worldwide.

Methods: Twenty healthcare facilities (secondary or tertiary hospitals) belonging to the Korean Academy of Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Diseases (KAPARD) participated.

Effect of multi-ethnicity and ancestry on prevalence of allergic disease.

Background/purpose: Differences exist among racial and ethnic groups in the prevalence and severity of allergic diseases. However, influence of population admixing on allergic disease has not been studied. We examined the effect of population admixing on the occurrence of allergic disease.

Lipid profiles in adolescents with and without asthma: Korea National Health and nutrition examination survey data.

Background: Metabolic syndrome and dyslipidemia contribute to the development of a pro-inflammatory state in asthma. However, studies investigating the association between asthma and dyslipidemia have reported conflicting results. This study aimed to uncover the relationship between asthma and lipid profiles in adolescents using a national health and nutrition survey.

Foreign body removal by flexible bronchoscopy using retrieval basket in children.

Objectives: Aspiration of foreign bodies into the tracheobronchial tree is a common accident in children. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and outcome of foreign body removal by flexible bronchoscopy using a retrieval basket in children.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of children treated for foreign bodies in the airway via flexible bronchoscopy using a retrieval basket at a tertiary hospital in Korea between February 2014 and October 2017.

Eosinophil-derived neurotoxin as a biomarker for disease severity and relapse in recalcitrant atopic dermatitis.

Background: Eosinophils are encountered in many skin diseases, but the role of eosinophils in atopic dermatitis (AD) remains uncertain.

Objective: To examine the role of serum eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and total IgE as a biomarker of disease severity and relapse in severe recalcitrant AD.

Methods: We enrolled 99 patients with AD: 37 with severe recalcitrant AD, 20 with severe AD, and 42 with mild to moderate AD.

Effect of Proparacaine in a Mouse Model of Allergic Rhinitis.

Objectives: Lidocaine, a local anaesthetic is a treatment option in uncontrolled asthma due to its immunomodulatory effects. In the present study, proparacaine (PPC), a derivative of lidocaine was examined for its therapeutic application in a mouse model of allergic rhinitis.

Methods: The mice were grouped into 4 groups: control group, allergic rhinitis (AR) group, ciclesonide (CIC) group, and PPC group.

Asthma Severity and the Controller Prescription in Children at 12 Tertiary Hospitals.

Purpose: Guidelines need to be tailored to where they are applied. We aimed to describe the distinctive asthma severity profile and the pattern of controller prescription in Korean children.

Methods: Twelve pediatric allergists from tertiary medical centers reviewed medical records of all asthmatic children who visited their clinics between September 1 and November 30 of 2013.