Early exposure to sunlight and allergic morbidity: The PARIS birth cohort

Abstract

The relationship between sunlight and allergies in children has received limited attention from researchers. We sought to explore how early exposure to solar radiation is associated with allergic morbidity within the PARIS birth cohort study.Our research dealt with children who attended at least one of two health checkups: at 18 months (n = 2012) and at 8–9 years (n = 1080). Early exposure to solar radiation was assessed using meteorological data (e.g., solar radiation, temperature, and relative humidity). Children with similar meteorological exposure trajectories were grouped by a longitudinal and multidimensional cluster analysis. The association between solar radiation exposure and allergic morbidity (i.e., allergic sensitization at 18 months and 8–9 years; current asthma, rhinitis, and eczema at 8–9 years) was quantified by multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders. The effect modification of maternal vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy was tested. Four meteorological exposure trajectories were found. The trajectory with the highest exposure to early solar radiation had a reduced risk of sensitization at 8–9 years compared to the trajectory with the lowest exposure (p = 0.06). The association was statistically significant in the vitamin D supplementation group. Solar radiation during prenatal and postnatal periods was significantly associated with a lower risk of sensitization at 8–9 years (for one interquartile range (IQR) increase, adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.47; 95 % confidence interval (CI): 0.25–0.87 and 0.84; 0.7–1.00, respectively). Increased prenatal exposure to solar radiation was significantly associated with a lower risk of asthma at 8–9 years (for one IQR increase, aOR: 0.32; 95 % CI: 0.1–0.96).Early sunlight exposure may reduce the risk of sensitization and asthma in school-aged children, especially in those prenatally exposed to vitamin D. These findings highlight the importance of vitamin D in preventing allergic diseases in children, either through supplementation or sunlight exposure.