Effects of infant weight gain on subsequent allergic outcomes in the first 3\xa0years of life

Oon Hoe Teoh,Anne Goh,Peter Gluckman,Yiong Huak Chan,Keith M Godfrey,Shu-E Soh,Izzuddin Bin Mohd Aris,Bee Wah Lee,Lynette Pei-Chi Shek,Michael S Kramer,Mya Thway Tint,Yung Seng Lee,Evelyn Xiu-Ling Loo,Yap-Seng Chong,Seang-Mei Saw,Hugo Van Bever,Fabian Yap

doi:10.1186/s12887-017-0890-0

Abstract

BackgroundThe association between early weight gain and later allergic outcomes has not been well studied. We examined the relation between weight gain and the subsequent development of allergic outcomes in the first 36 months of life in a Singapore birth cohort.MethodsIn repeated visits in the first 15 months, we measured infant weight and administered questionnaires ascertaining allergic outcomes. At ages 18 and 36 months, we administered skin prick tests (SPTs) to inhalant and food allergens.ResultsAt 18 months, 13.5% had a positive SPT, 3.5% had wheeze and a positive SPT, 3.9% had rhinitis and a positive SPT, and 6.1% had eczema and a positive SPT. Higher weight gain from 6 to 9 months, 9 to 12 months and 12 to 15 months were independently associated with a reduced risk of developing a positive SPT at 18 months (p-trend ≤0.03). At 36 months, 23.5% had a positive SPT, 11.9% had wheeze and a positive SPT, 12.2% rhinitis and a positive SPT, and 11.5% eczema and a positive SPT. Higher weight gain from 12 to 15 months was associated with a reduced risk of developing a positive SPT at 36 months (p-trend <0.01). No significant associations were observed between weight gain in any period and wheeze, rhinitis or eczema combined with a positive SPT at 18 or 36 months.ConclusionHigher weight gain in the first 15 months of life was associated with a reduced risk of allergen sensitization, but not with combinations of allergic symptoms.Trial registrationNCT01174875 Registered 1 July 2010, retrospectively registered.

Highlights

The association between early weight gain and later allergic outcomes has not been well studied
The response rates to questions on allergic outcomes and Skin prick testing (SPT) as well as schematic diagrams of the children included in the analysis are shown in Figs. 1 and 2
Higher weight gain in the first 15 months of life was associated with a reduced risk of allergen sensitization, but not with combinations of allergic symptoms

Summary

Introduction

The association between early weight gain and later allergic outcomes has not been well studied. We examined the relation between weight gain and the subsequent development of allergic outcomes in the first 36 months of life in a Singapore birth cohort. [9] We hypothesized that rapid weight gain during infancy would be associated with an increased risk of developing allergic outcomes later in childhood and tested this hypothesis in the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) birth cohort. Ours is the first study to examine the effect of weight gain in early life on allergic outcomes in an Asian population. This population has a dissimilar genetic constitution to Western populations, along with many differences in dietary and environmental exposures

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Discussion

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