Method: The Green Breath for Children (GBC), a Korean children in Chungbuk province, have recruited 3194 preschool children ≥ 2 yrs of age, annually since 2011. Physical examinations, questionnaire for allergic and respiratory disease and skin prick test were performed.
Results: Among these children, 2745 (85.9%) has completed response to questionnaire. Complete data were available for 2453 (76.7%) children about wheeze, medical history and skin prick test. The prevalence of wheeze was 22.7%. It was found that incidence of current wheezing illness within one year was declined and incidence of aeroallergen sensitization was increased with age (from 21.5% in 2 year old to 39.0% in 6 years old). Two hundred and sixty nine children had wheeze episode ≥ 3 among children > 3 year old (n=2253). Among these children, 175 (65.1%) has current wheeze illness within 1 year. Sensitization with A/H ratio grade ≥6+, allergic rhinitis, parental asthma was significantly higher in children with current wheeze illness. Diagnosis of allergic rhinitis and parent with asthma were also significantly associated in logistic regression.
Conclusion: There were high prevalence of wheeze and presence of risk factor of asthma progression, especially higher sensitization rate and atopic dermatitis in preschool children. So it is needed that quantitative measurement of atopic status or biologic marker monitoring for discriminating children who will have asthma progression among preschool children with wheeze.