All issues > Volume 25(6); 1982

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1982;25(6):593-606. Published online June 30, 1982.

A Study on the Seasonal Occurrence of Asthma in Children.

gung ran nam¹, Kee Young Lee¹, Duk Jin Yun¹

¹Department of Pediatrics，Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul，Korea

Abstract

Well known predisposing factors of asthmatic attack are emotional factors, autonomic nerve dysfunctions, immunologic factors, endocrinologic factors and respiratory tract infections. In addition, environmental factors are also important. Meteorological factors-temperature, air pressure, relative humidity-seem to be the main triggering agents. According to our clinical experience, the hospital admission rate of asthmatic children is higher in certain seasons than in other seasons. In response to this observation, a study was conducted to determine the effects of weather and respiratory tract infections on the occurrence of asthmatic children in the department of Pediatrics at Severance Hospital, Yonsei Unive- rsity, College of Medicine from Jan. 1976 to Dec. 1980. Meteorological data was supplied by the Central Meteorological Office, Seoul, Korea.
Results
were as follows; 1. The admission rate of asthmatic children was higher in Autumn (10.8%) than in other seasons. 2. The monthly admission rate of asthmatic children was the highest in September (5.3 %) and the lowest in January (0.3%). 3. During the period of rapid decrease of temperature from the highest monthly mean temperature in a year, the admission rate of asthmatic children was the highest. The mon- thly mean temperature of this period was under 18.6°C (16〜21OC). 4. The admission rates of asthmaftic children are tend to be increased at the monthly mean relative humidity range of 66〜72% (the average 67.2%). 5. During the period of an increase of monthly average range of temperature, the admission rate of asthmatic children is also increased. 6. During the period of rapid fluctuation of air pressure, the admission rate of asthmatic children is also increased. 7. There was no significant correlation between asthmatic attacks and respiratory infections.

Keywords :Asthma;Seasonal Occurrence