Solar and geomagnetic activity impacts pulmonary health outcomes in children with allergen sensitivities
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Citation
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Periods of intense solar and geomagnetic activity (SGMA) have been linked to a broad range of adverse health effects including increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, reproductive and neurologic disease, and importantly, a diminished immune response. However, there has been little research into the effects of SGMA on pediatric pulmonary health outcomes, specifically for children with allergen sensitivities.
AIMS: This paper aims to investigate the effects of SGMA on pulmonary health outcomes: asthma symptoms days (ASD), fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and pulmonary function tests (PFTs). We also investigate if having allergen sensitization modifies the effects of SGMA on pulmonary health outcome severity.
METHODS: Using mixed effects models with random intercepts, we assessed the data from pediatric patients enrolled in the School Inner-City Asthma Study (SICAS), a NIH funded cohort of urban children with asthma, to test for significant associations between solar and geomagnetic parameters: sunspot number (SSN), interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), and Kp index, on pulmonary health outcomes FeNO, ASD, and PFTs. Interaction tests were performed to evaluate the effect modification of SMGA on allergen sensitization, and related pulmonary health outcomes.
RESULTS: Increases in solar and geomagnetic activity are significantly associated with improved health outcomes (ASD, FeNO and PFTs) especially in children without allergen sensitivities.
CONCLUSIONS: Rising SGMA may dysregulate the human circadian rhythm which augments melatonin production and autonomic nervous system activity thereby suppressing the immune response and ultimately improving pulmonary health outcomes. This paper further elucidates the interactions of the human body with our surrounding geophysical environment, and may also help to inform the clinical management of pediatric asthma.