Comparing pre- and post-COVID-19 chronic allergy prevalence in children using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2019 and 2021.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate changes in demographic characteristics, parental smoking habits, and the prevalence of asthma, atopic dermatitis, and rhinitis among children in South Korea before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis of national health survey data from 2019 and 2021 was conducted, including children aged 3 - 18 years. Factors such as gender, age, location, housing type, family size, income, body mass index, subjective health status, influenza vaccination, family structure, and parental smoking habits were analyzed.

Results: No significant differences were found in most demographic characteristics and parental features between 2019 and 2021, except for influenza vaccination rates and mothers' age at first childbirth. The influenza vaccination rate increased from 69.3% in 2019 to 77.8% in 2021, and the average maternal age at first birth increased from 28.46 years to 29.22 years. Asthma diagnoses showed no significant differences between the 2 years after adjusting for general and parent-related characteristics. For atopic dermatitis, significant differences in gender distribution were observed in 2021. Rhinitis diagnoses showed significant differences in age, area, and breastfeeding status between the two years.

Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic may have influenced certain demographic characteristics, such as influenza vaccination rates and mothers' age at first childbirth, but the prevalence of asthma, atopic dermatitis, and rhinitis among children remained largely unchanged between 2019 and 2021. This study underscores the importance of monitoring the impact of social changes on children's health, particularly during significant events like the COVID-19 pandemic. Further research is required to understand the long-term effects of these changes on child health.