Abstract
BackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate the impact of a primary prevention intervention program on risk behavior for allergic diseases among children up to 2 years of age. The setting was in ordinary pre- and postnatal primary health care in Trondheim, Norway.MethodsThe Prevention of Allergy among Children in Trondheim, Norway (PACT) study invited all pregnant women and parents to children up to 2 years of age in the community to participate in a non-randomized, controlled, multiple life-style intervention study. Interventional topics was increased dietary intake of cod liver oil and oily fish for women during pregnancy and for infants during the first 2 years of life, reduced parental smoking and reduced indoor dampness. A control cohort was established prior to the intervention cohort with "follow up as usual". Questionnaires were completed in pregnancy, 6 weeks after birth and at 1 and 2 years of age. Trends in exposure and behavior are described.ResultsIntake of oily fish and cod liver oil increased statistically significantly among women and infants in the intervention cohort compared to the control cohort. There was a low postnatal smoking prevalence in both cohorts, with a trend towards a decreasing smoking prevalence in the control cohort. There was no change in indoor dampness or in behavior related to non- intervened life-style factors.ConclusionsThe dietary intervention seemed to be successful. The observed reduced smoking behavior could not be attributed to the intervention program, and the latter had no effect on indoor dampness.Trial registrations(Current Controlled Trials registration number: ISRCTN28090297)
Highlights
This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a primary prevention intervention program on risk behavior for allergic diseases among children up to 2 years of age
Behavioral changes The dietary intervention During pregnancy the intake of cod liver oil more than four times a week increased significantly from 42% to 66% in the intervention group compared to the control group (Table 2)
The smoking frequency was almost halved at all four assessment points of time in the intervention cohort compared to the control cohort with a minimum for maternal smoking of 5.3% at 6 weeks postnatal and a minimum of 11.5% for paternal smoking at 2 years postnatal
Summary
This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a primary prevention intervention program on risk behavior for allergic diseases among children up to 2 years of age. In 1997 Trondheim was chosen to develop, implement and evaluate relevant prophylactic measures in collaboration between the political and medical authorities in the community and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Supplementation of the maternal diet in pregnancy with n3-PUFA could prevent the development of allergic diseases[11]. Dietary n3-PUFA in infancy are positively associated with IgA and sCD14 levels, suggesting a relationship between fatty acid status and mucosal immune function [12]
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