The burden of atopy and asthma in children.

BACKGROUND: There has been a world-wide increase in the prevalence of atopic diseases. These atopic diseases, including asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and atopic eczema/dermatitis, are common in childhood and create a challenge of management for physicians and parents.

METHODS: MEDLINE was searched for articles related to atopy, allergy asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and atopic eczema/dermatitis.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The conditions of asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and atopic eczema/dermatitis cause very significant burdens regarding the discomfort to the affected individual, management problems for the parent and physician and the economic cost to the family and the nation.