Effects of Ambient Fine Particles on Pulmonary Function in Children With Mild Atopic Dermatitis

The effects of particulate pollutants on lung function in children with atopic dermatitis (AD) remain to be determined. The authors investigated the short-term effects of ambient particles on peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) in 84 children with and without AD. Daily particulates less than 10, 2.5, and 1m (PM10, PM2.5, and PM1) and number concentrations of submicron particles were measured. The authors observed elevated levels of PM10, PM2.5, and PM1, and accumulation-mode particles were associated with decreased PEFR in children with AD. The PEFR decrements were -2.89 L/min (95% confidence interval [CI], -4.93 to -0.89) for an interquartile-range increase of previous-day PM10, -2.79 L/min (95% CI, -4.89 to -0.69) for PM2.5, and -2.71 L/min (95% CI, -4.81 to -0.61) for PM1. These results suggest that ambient fine particles may affect the pulmonary function in children with AD. The respiratory health of children with atopic skin disorders renders them more vulnerable to ambient particles than healthy subjects.