Impact of particulate matter 2.5 exposure on severity of pediatric chronic rhinitis: A prospective cohort study.

Authors

Rinrada Naka, Ratchaneewan Sinitkul, Ussanai Nithirochananont, Watcharoot Kanchongkittiphon, Potjanee Kiewngam, Wanlapa Jotikasthira, Adithep Sawatchai, Chaiyawat Suppasilp, Wiparat Manuyakorn

Published in

Pediatric allergy and immunology : official publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology. Volume 37. Issue 9. Pages e70493.

Abstract

Particulate matter with a diameter of ≤2.5 micrometers (PM_2.5) is associated with respiratory and allergic diseases. However, the longitudinal impact on pediatric rhinitis control remains limited.
To determine the association between PM_2.5 exposure and symptom control in pediatric patients with chronic rhinitis.
This prospective longitudinal study (July 2024-August 2025) followed children with chronic rhinitis in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region. Rhinitis symptom severity was assessed weekly using a visual analog scale (VAS), with covariates such as medication use and concurrent respiratory infections. A 1-week average PM_2.5 concentration preceding VAS assessment (via Inverse Distance Weighting interpolation) was estimated. Associations between PM_2.5 exposure and VAS were analyzed using multivariable mixed-effects and fixed-effects linear regression models. Additional analyses were stratified by aeroallergen sensitization status (allergic rhinitis versus nonallergic rhinitis).
Among 146 children followed for a median of 52 weeks, higher PM_2.5 exposure (per 10 μg/m³) was consistently associated with increased VAS (β coefficient; 95% confidence interval = 0.260; 0.215-0.306, p < .001). Wet season, concurrent respiratory infections, and medication use were also associated with increased VAS. These associations were observed in both allergic rhinitis and nonallergic rhinitis.
Higher short-term ambient PM_2.5 exposure was associated with greater rhinitis symptom severity in children with chronic rhinitis. These findings support consideration of ambient air pollution as an environmental factor in pediatric rhinitis management.

PMID:
42779361
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 24 Sep 2026.

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