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Early-Life, Long-Term Exposure to Ambient Particulate Matter in Infants with Atopic Dermatitis Decreases Remission and Increases Sensitization
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  • Kangmo Ahn,
  • Young-Min Kim,
  • Inbo Oh,
  • Jaeyoung Choi,
  • Jihyun Kim,
  • Jiwon Kim,
  • Kim Su Kyung ,
  • Jin-Hee Bang
Kangmo Ahn
Samsung Medical Center

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Young-Min Kim
Samsung Medical Center
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Inbo Oh
University of Ulsan
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Jaeyoung Choi
Samsung Medical Center
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Jihyun Kim
Samsung Medical Center
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Jiwon Kim
Samsung Medical Center
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Kim Su Kyung
Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital
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Jin-Hee Bang
University of Ulsan
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Abstract

Background: Studies that examine a link between long-term exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM) and atopic dermatitis (AD) in children are lacking. This longitudinal study aimed to investigate the effect of long-term exposure to PM on AD in infants. Methods: A total of 150 infants diagnosed with AD before age 2 were enrolled and followed until age 3 in Seoul, Korea. Long-term exposures to ambient PM with an aerodynamic diameter ≤10 μm (PM 10) from birth to age 3 were assessed at an individual level. Effects of long-term exposure to PM 10 on AD persistence and sensitization to aeroallergens were evaluated using Cox proportional hazard regression models after adjusting for potential confounders. Results: Out of 150 infants, 54 (36.0%) showed remission of AD at age 3. The risk of AD persistence at age 3 significantly increased with an increase in long-term exposure to PM 10 [Hazard Ratio (HR) = 1.07, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.01−1.12, p = .017 per 1 µg/m 3]. Moderate-to-severe AD at enrollment was more likely to persist at age 3 with increased exposure to PM 10 ( p < .05), whereas the persistence of mild AD was not influenced by PM 10 exposure. Long-term exposure to PM 10 increased the risk of sensitization to pollen (HR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.02−1.27, p = .021). However, it did not affect sensitization to house dust mites or pet allergens. Conclusions: An early-life long-term exposure to ambient PM 10 in infants with AD decreases remission and increases sensitization to pollen at age 3.