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Ultrafine particles (UFP, particulate matter PM < 100 nm), through their small size, high number and surface area, and their chemical composition,[1] can induce serious health effects.[2] UFP are able to reach lung alveoli[3] and are toxic through mechanisms of oxidative stress, cell signaling and activation, and release of mediators initiating inflammatory processes in the respiratory tract and in the cardiovascular system.[[3]] Moreover, asthmatic/allergic children are likely to be more susceptible to UFP exposure than healthy children.[2] However, epidemiological data on the short-term respiratory health effects of UFP exposure, especially on the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) as a marker of eosinophilic airway inflammation[5] in children, remain limited.[2] Only one study used personal measurements of UFP exposure on a daily basis, taking into account all the microenvironments attended by children.[6] Children with persistent respiratory symptoms were participants with asthma-like symptoms reported by parents as persistent wheezing and/or asthma attacks at two or more time points from 4 years of age, or with doctor-diagnosed asthma until the age of 6 years. About 80% and 9% of children with persistent respiratory symptoms were diagnosed with asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR), respectively, until 9 years. The increase in 24-hour IQR personal UFP exposure (PNC 7069 pt/cm SP 3 sp or LDSA 15 m SP 2 sp /cm SP 3 sp ) was related to higher FeNO in all children, particularly in those with persistent respiratory symptoms, and most specifically in children with asthma/AR diagnosis (Figure). [Extracted from the article]

Background: Natural course and co‐occurrence of asthma, eczema, and allergic rhinitis through childhood are still not fully documented. We aim to identify and characterize profiles based on the time course, severity, and apparent triggers of respiratory/allergy symptoms in school‐aged children. Methods: Data on occurrence, severity, and triggers of asthma, rhinitis, and dermatitis symptoms were collected annually during the follow‐up of the PARIS birth cohort. Children with similar symptom trajectories until 8‐9 years were grouped into profiles using multidimensional (all symptoms considered simultaneously) cluster analysis. Associations between profiles and different health outcomes were analyzed using logistic or linear regression models. Results: Six distinct symptomatic profiles were identified. A profile was defined by persistent dermatitis symptoms, associated with sensitization to food and aeroallergens. Two profiles were characterized by wheezing: one with early transient wheezing and the other with persistent wheezing related to doctor‐diagnosed asthma, airway obstruction, and perennial aeroallergen sensitization. Three profiles were characterized by rhinitis symptoms: one non‐allergic and two allergic, either with persistent rhinitis symptoms related to allergic multimorbidity and sensitization to perennial aeroallergens, or with late‐onset symptoms, related to both pollen and perennial aeroallergens sensitization as well as low lung function. Conclusion: This study brings further insights into the developmental profiles of respiratory/allergic outcomes from birth to school age. The identified profiles clearly differed regarding objective features such as diagnosed morbidity, sensitization, or lung function measurements, thus highlighting their biologic and clinical relevance. Allergic rhinitis profiles deserve particular attention, since they were likely to be involved in multimorbidity patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]