Epidemiology of Allergic Diseases in Childhood

Epidemiology of allergic diseases in childhood encompasses the study of distribution, determinants and patterns of conditions such as asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and eczema. Globally, prevalence estimates vary by age, geography and socio-economic status, with asthma often affecting around 10 % of children, while eczema and rhinitis range between 5–15 %. Recent decades have seen shifts in these estimates, driven by urbanisation, air pollution and changes in microbial exposure arising from altered lifestyles and the impact of pandemics on hygiene practices. Cross-sectional surveys such as those conducted by international consortia have revealed higher burdens of severe symptoms in lower-income settings, juxtaposed against under-diagnosis and limited access to preventive therapies. Key risk factors include genetic predisposition, early-life exposures, environmental pollutants, socio-economic deprivation and psychosocial stress. Emerging evidence underscores regional heterogeneity, with lower measured prevalence but disproportionately greater morbidity in low- and middle-income countries owing to inequities in health-care access and diagnostic capacity. Integrating epidemiological surveillance with environmental and socio-behavioural studies has highlighted the need for targeted public-health strategies to mitigate chronic disease burden and improve outcomes for children worldwide.

Research from Nature Portfolio

A comprehensive analysis of adolescent atopic dermatitis over a fourteen-year period in South Korea utilised nationwide survey data to trace long-term prevalence trends before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings indicated an initial rise in disease prevalence that plateaued or declined slightly during the pandemic, suggesting an interplay between societal changes and skin barrier health. Multivariable analyses identified higher risk among those with lower parental education, reduced household income and specific psychosocial factors such as suicidal ideation. Patterns also differed by sex and urban versus rural residence, emphasising the multifactorial nature of atopic dermatitis epidemiology in adolescence and the importance of mental health and social determinants in disease expression.

Epidemiology of Allergic Diseases in Childhood publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in epidemiology of allergic diseases in childhood across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Prevalence: The proportion of a population with a specific disease at a given time.

Cross-sectional study: An observational design that analyses data from a population at one point in time to identify disease patterns and associations.

Atopic dermatitis: A chronic inflammatory skin condition characterised by itching and eczematous lesions, often presenting in childhood.

Wheeze: A high-pitched whistling sound during breathing, indicative of airflow obstruction in the airways.

References

1. Asthma symptoms, spirometry and air pollution exposure in schoolchildren in an informal settlement and an affluent area of Nairobi, Kenya. Thorax (2023).
2. Asthma in developing countries in the Asia‐Pacific Region (APR). Respirology (2023).
3. National prevalence of atopic dermatitis in Korean adolescents from 2009 to 2022. Scientific Reports (2024).