D2.406 - Correlation between Emergency visits and Olea pollen levels in a child population
Background
Respiratory symptoms caused by aeroallergen sensitization are a frequent Emergency Unit assistance in our patients, being Olea europeae one of the most typical etiologies. Our objectives were to describe a child population that came to our Pediatric Energency Department referring respiratory and/or cutaneous symptoms with the Olea pollen levels as the main relationship during its bloom in 2023 and its correlationship with pollen levels during that year.
Method
Medical reports from child patients (less than 14 years old) with respiratory and/or cutaneous symptoms that came to our Pediatric Emergency Unit at Hospital Quironsalud Cordoba during Olea europeae pollen bloom were selected, looking for a correlationship between pollen levels and total number of patients that were evaluated. We excluded patients with fever, thick mucus or with symptoms related to viral infections. We reviewed these medical reports in our Allergy Department database looking for Olea sensitization.
Results
637 patients (351 males and 286 females; mean age 7,24 years) came to our Pediatric Emergency Department during Olea bloom in 2023 (8th April to 31st May). 378 (59,34%) came in April and 259 (40,65%) in May. 157 (24,64%) referred allergic rhinitis and 462 (72,52%) referred asthma, needing 126 (19,78%) several hours in the Observation Unit and 24 (3,76%) several days in the inpatients ward. The days with more pollen concentration showed us more Emergency Unit visits (p<0,05). 436 (68,44%) were diagnosed as allergic rhinitis in our Allergy Department, being in 321 (50,39%) Olea europeae as the main trigger.
Conclusion
- During 2023, the most typical patient that came to our Pediatric Emergency Department was a child (male) with respiratory symptoms and Olea pollen sensitization.
- There is a great correlationship between Olea pollen and Emergency Department visits.
- A better knowledge about pollen levels would help us to prevent our patient´s attacks, reducing their visits to Emergency Units.
