[The prevalence of symptoms of allergic diseases among younger school children in Medimurje County (ISAAC Phase I)].

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of symptoms of asthma, allergic rhinitis/rhinoconjuctivitis and atopic eczema symptoms in the Medimurje County in Northwest Croatia.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study was undertaken between January and April 2005 among school children in 27 randomly selected elementary schools. Data were collected using standardized ISAAC written questionnaire Phase I.

RESULTS: A total of 3106 children participated in the study (7-9 yrs) with response rate 96.94%. 712 (22.9%) children had symptoms of allergic diseases at some time in their life. Estimated lifetime (ever) prevalence rates of symptoms were: wheezing 14.91%, allergic rhinitis symptoms 8.88% and atopic dermatitis symptoms 10.66%. Estimated 12-month prevalence rates were: wheezing 6.92%, allergic rhinitis symptoms 8.40%, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis 4.67%, and atopic dermatitis symptoms 5.76%.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that Medimurje County is an area with moderate prevalence of atopic disease symptoms among the pediatric population.