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
(PM10) from birth to age 3 were assessed at an
individual level. Effects of long-term exposure to PM10on 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 PM10 [Hazard
Ratio (HR) = 1.07, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.01−1.12, p =
.017 per 1 µg/m3]. Moderate-to-severe AD at
enrollment was more likely to persist at age 3 with increased exposure
to PM10 (p < .05), whereas the
persistence of mild AD was not influenced by PM10exposure. Long-term exposure to PM10 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
PM10 in infants with AD decreases remission and
increases sensitization to pollen at age 3.