Community-acquired pneumonia is the leading cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality. However, there is a lack of data on the epidemiology of pneumonia in Korean children. In this review, we aimed to summarize pneumonia studies in Korea and suggest diagnostic methods and treatment for Korean children who were referred based on the foreign guidelines for pediatric community-acquired pneumonia. A Korean guideline for pediatric pneumonia in tune with domestic circumstances is needed.
Child* ; Epidemiology ; Humans ; Korea ; Mortality ; Pneumonia*

Atopic dermatitis is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease in children. It usually develops in infancy and early childhood and is an entry point of ‘atopic march’, which may progress to other allergic diseases, including allergic rhinitis and asthma. Although there is no disagreement on the importance of early treatment of atopic dermatitis, it is difficult to treat children with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis due to concerns about treatment-related side effects and age restrictions for effective drugs in real world. As recent researches have extend our understanding of pathogenesis, new agents targeted key pathologic mechanisms have been developed. Therefore, it is time to establish a new paradigm of treatment for children with atopic dermatitis since new biologics have been demonstrated to be effective and safe in children. The objective of this article is to review the clinical characteristics, severity classification, pathogenesis, and treatment, in particular, biologics already approved/undergoing clinical trials for children with atopic dermatitis.

Food allergies can pose significant risks and profoundly impact the quality of life of children and their families, making them a major public health concern. Allergen avoidance has been the traditional mainstay of treatment; however, recent research has focused on various approaches to food allergen immunotherapy. This review summarizes the recent advancements in oral, sublingual, and epicutaneous immunotherapies, highlighting their respective advantages and disadvantages. The ultimate goal of food allergen immunotherapy is to maximize efficacy while minimizing risks, leading to the exploration of strategies such as low-dose immunotherapy and the use of biologics. When selecting candidates for immunotherapy among patients with food allergies, factors such as allergen characteristics, the likelihood of natural resolution, age, symptom severity, and impact on quality of life require consideration, and an individualized approach should be adopted to determine the most suitable treatment method.

Food allergies can pose significant risks and profoundly impact the quality of life of children and their families, making them a major public health concern. Allergen avoidance has been the traditional mainstay of treatment; however, recent research has focused on various approaches to food allergen immunotherapy. This review summarizes the recent advancements in oral, sublingual, and epicutaneous immunotherapies, highlighting their respective advantages and disadvantages. The ultimate goal of food allergen immunotherapy is to maximize efficacy while minimizing risks, leading to the exploration of strategies such as low-dose immunotherapy and the use of biologics. When selecting candidates for immunotherapy among patients with food allergies, factors such as allergen characteristics, the likelihood of natural resolution, age, symptom severity, and impact on quality of life require consideration, and an individualized approach should be adopted to determine the most suitable treatment method.

Food allergies can pose significant risks and profoundly impact the quality of life of children and their families, making them a major public health concern. Allergen avoidance has been the traditional mainstay of treatment; however, recent research has focused on various approaches to food allergen immunotherapy. This review summarizes the recent advancements in oral, sublingual, and epicutaneous immunotherapies, highlighting their respective advantages and disadvantages. The ultimate goal of food allergen immunotherapy is to maximize efficacy while minimizing risks, leading to the exploration of strategies such as low-dose immunotherapy and the use of biologics. When selecting candidates for immunotherapy among patients with food allergies, factors such as allergen characteristics, the likelihood of natural resolution, age, symptom severity, and impact on quality of life require consideration, and an individualized approach should be adopted to determine the most suitable treatment method.

Food allergies can pose significant risks and profoundly impact the quality of life of children and their families, making them a major public health concern. Allergen avoidance has been the traditional mainstay of treatment; however, recent research has focused on various approaches to food allergen immunotherapy. This review summarizes the recent advancements in oral, sublingual, and epicutaneous immunotherapies, highlighting their respective advantages and disadvantages. The ultimate goal of food allergen immunotherapy is to maximize efficacy while minimizing risks, leading to the exploration of strategies such as low-dose immunotherapy and the use of biologics. When selecting candidates for immunotherapy among patients with food allergies, factors such as allergen characteristics, the likelihood of natural resolution, age, symptom severity, and impact on quality of life require consideration, and an individualized approach should be adopted to determine the most suitable treatment method.

PURPOSE: Infantile atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most important risk factors for development of childhood asthma. Those with persistent wheezing with atopy had a great risk of declining lung function. Our study was designed to find out the risk factors for wheezing in infants who has AD, therefore early detection of risk factors for developing wheezing. METHODS: Three hundreds forty seven infants with AD who visited on our Pediatric Allergy Respiratory Center in Soonchunhyang University Hospital from January 2002 to December 2005 were enrolled and they were followed up till July 2006. We obtained familial allergy history and laboratory data such as serum total IgE, specific IgE and blood eosinophil count. We analyzed the factors affecting recurrent wheezing and persistent wheezing after 3 years old in children who had AD during infancy. RESULTS: One-hundred ninety-four children (55.9%) developed wheezing. Male sex (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.7, 95% CI 1.1-2.7) and asthma history of parents or siblings (aOR 4.7, 95% CI 1.7-12.5) were the significant risk factors for development of wheezing. Serum total IgE (aOR 5.1 95% CI 1.1-22.5) and house dust mite sensitization (aOR 9.0, 95% CI 0.9-89.4) were significant risk factors for persistent wheezing after first three years of life. CONCLUSION: We should be alert for asthma in cases of infantile AD especially in male sex or with familial asthma history. And we propose early identification and intervention for asthma in infantile AD with increased total IgE and with house dust mite sensitization.
Asthma ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E ; Infant* ; Lung ; Male ; Odds Ratio ; Parents ; Pyroglyphidae ; Respiratory Center ; Respiratory Sounds* ; Risk Factors* ; Siblings

PURPOSE: Some studies report a role of leukotrienes in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis and suggest a rationale for the use of leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA) in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. This study aimed to evaluate the treatment effectiveness of montelukast in children with atopic dermatitis. METHODS: Fifty-four children between the ages of 2 and 6 years with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis were enrolled. Group A received montelukast for 8 weeks, followed by a crossover to 8 weeks of placebo after a 2-week washout period. Group B reversed the administration according to a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design. The SCORing atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index, urinary leukotriene E4 (LTE4), and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) were assessed at every visit. RESULTS: Forty-three patients (21 males) completed the study. Although the SCORAD index was decreased in both groups, there was no statistically significant difference between montelukast and placebo (-3.0±11.2 vs -5.7±11.3, P=0.43). The level of urinary LTE4 was decreased after taking montelukast when compared to placebo, but there was no statistically significant difference (-65.9±556.2 vs 87.7±618.3, P=0.26). The changes in urinary EDN after taking montelukast and placebo had no significant difference (37.0±1,008.6 vs -195.8±916.7, P=0.10). When analyzing SCORAD indices, urinary LTE4, and EDN, we could not prove the effectiveness of montelukast in the atopic, non-atopic or high ECP (ECP ≥15 µg/L) subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: There was no statistically significant difference in clinical improvement or biomarkers between montelukast and placebo treatment. Therefore, conventional treatments with skin care and infection control might be more important strategies in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.
Biological Markers ; Child* ; Cross-Over Studies* ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Eosinophil-Derived Neurotoxin ; Humans ; Infection Control ; Leukotriene E4 ; Leukotrienes ; Receptors, Leukotriene ; Skin Care ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: Recently, an increase in the number of patients sensitized to rice allergen with or without clinical symptoms has been reported. This study was designed to determine the major allergens in rice and their clinical significance. METHODS: Twenty-four children (15 boys and 9 girls; mean age, 16.3 months) with allergic disease, who were sensitized to rice antigen (by UniCAP) in the Pediatric Allergy Respiratory Center at Soonchunhyang University Hospital, were enrolled in this study. The allergenicity of various types of rice (raw, cooked, and heat-treated, simulated gastric fluid [SGF], and simulated intestinal fluid [SIF]) was investigated using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and immunoglobulin E (IgE) immunoblots. The patients' medical records, including laboratory data and allergy symptoms after ingestion of rice were reviewed. RESULTS: Patients were sensitized to an average of 13.5 food antigens and their mean total IgE was 6,888.7 kU/L. In SDS-PAGE, more than 16 protein bands were observed in the raw rice, whereas only 14-16 kDa and 31-35 kDa protein bands were observed in cooked rice. The common SDS-PAGE protein bands observed in SGF-, SIF-, and heat-treated rice were 9, 14, and 31 kDa. In a heated-rice IgE immunoblot, protein bands of 9, 14, and 31-33 kDa were found in 27.8%, 38.9%, and 38.9% of all sera, respectively, and in 50%, 50%, and 75%, of ser a from the 4 symptomatic patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: The 9-, 14-, and 31-kDa protein bands appeared to be the major allergens responsible for rice allergy symptoms.
Allergens ; Child ; Eating ; Electrophoresis ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; Medical Records ; Respiratory Center ; Sodium

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate discrepancies between self-awareness of memory functions and actual memory functions in the elderly community. METHODS: A total of 369 individuals aged over 65 years from four elderly community centers completed clinical evaluation, neuropsychological batteries of the Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's disease (CERAD-K), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), and the Hachinski Ischemic Score. RESULTS: Among the elderly particpants, 26.3% showed incorrect awareness regarding their memory function. Those with subjective memory complaints included 73.5% with no memory impairment, while those without memory complaints included 11.3% of those with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and 4.3% of those with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Subjective memory complaints were significantly associated with depression. Among the elderly with no memory complaints, incorrect awareness was associated with 'no previous education' (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.3-9.8), 'age over 80' (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.1-5.4), and 'male' (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.0-5.2) ; however, it was not significantly associated with depression. CONCLUSION: Incorrect awareness of memory impairment is prevalent among the elderly. Further, elderly individuals of an advanced age with no education may have memory impairment without memory complaints.
Activities of Daily Living ; Aged ; Alzheimer Disease ; Depression ; Humans ; Memory ; Mild Cognitive Impairment