Allergic disorders in children living in different climatic and oecological areas of the Kaliningrad region
The immune system responsible for genetic stability of internal environment, with its exceptional sensitivity, may provide biological indexes which reflect impact of various environmental (biotic and abiotic) factors, i.e., serve as an indicator system in the areas of environmental well-being and distress. A series of studies on the influence of climatic and environmental factors on immune reactivity states demonstrated that the immune system is also sensitive to both natural and industrial factors (chemical and physical). Apparently, this is due to formation of a population-based immunological reactivity adapted for specific environmental conditions. However, the distribution patterns of immunogram variability by geographical zones are still unclear. The article analyzes prevalence and structure of allergic disorders in children of 1-3 and 4-7 y.o. (early and first childhood)living in different climatic and ecological areas of Kaliningrad region (coastal and continental zones, “clean” and “dirty” cities, different for anthropogenic burden and environmental situation). The following cities were involved into the study: Svetlogorsk, Svetly, Kaliningrad, Sovetsk, Gusev and Neman. There were 3,321 children examined. Clinical and demographic data were taken from the following sources: “History of the child’s development” (Form No. 112/y), “Outpatient medical record card” (Form No. 025/y) and “Diagnostic card of immunological deficiency in children”, developed at the Institute of Immunology (Federal Medical&Biological Agency of Russia) which contained the patient’s data, seasonality of increased morbidity, vaccination history, acute infections). Disorders and reactions attributable to allergic syndrome were divided into three groups: skin diseases, respiratory system diseases, adverse response to various antigens. The revealed differences demonstrate high sensitivity of immune system to climatic and environmental factors acting at the sub-threshold level. We believe that the child’s immune system responds even to minor environmental factors, which, acting in combined manner, cause its functional shifts. In turn, these changes manifest at the level of immunobiological reactivity and, accordingly, influence clinical course and symptoms of the allergic disorders.