Abstract
BackgroundFew Chinese population studies exist on early life risk factors for furry pet allergy. ObjectivesWe studied childhood respiratory symptoms when in contact with furry pets in relation to early life exposure. Moreover, we studied similar environmental associations for rhinitis not related to furry pets. MethodsChildren aged 3–6 y from day care centres in seven Chinese cities participated (N = 39,782). Parents answered a questionnaire on home environment and children’s health, including rhinoconjunctivitis and wheeze when in contact with furry pets, and diagnosed rhinitis. Prenatal and postnatal outdoor temperature, PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 were calculated using data from monitoring stations. Associations were estimated by multilevel logistic regression. ResultsTotally 2% had cats, 4% dogs, and 3.2% had rhinoconjunctivitis or wheeze when in contact with furry pets (FP symptoms). Moreover, 1.1% had furry pet related diagnosed rhinitis and 7.5% had diagnosed rhinitis not related to furry pets (other diagnosed rhinitis). Prenatal PM2.5 and PM10, especially in second trimester, and a colder climate were risk factors for FP symptoms. ETS, dampness and mould, condensation on windows in wintertime, and cats and dog keeping were associated with FP symptoms. Breast feeding and frequent window opening were protective. Similar indoor associations were found for furry pet related diagnosed rhinitis. ETS, dampness and mould, window condensation, urbanization and mechanical exhaust ventilation were risk factors for other diagnosed rhinitis. Cooking with an electric stove and early life exposure to animals (cats, dogs, farm environment during pregnancy) were protective for diagnosed rhinitis not related to furry pets. ConclusionsPrenatal outdoor PM10 and PM2.5 can be risk factors for symptoms suggestive of furry pet allergy. Early life dampness and mould can be risk factors for rhinitis related and not related to furry pets. Exposure to animals (cats, dogs, farm environment) may reduce diagnosed rhinitis not related to furry pets.
Highlights
Allergic rhinitis is affecting about 40% of the global population and there has been a worldwide increase over the last decades (Cheng et al, 2018; Small et al, 2018)
Diagnosed rhinitis not related to furry pets was more common (7.5%)
It is important to study the association between furry pet keeping and cleaning
Summary
Allergic rhinitis is affecting about 40% of the global population and there has been a worldwide increase over the last decades (Cheng et al, 2018; Small et al, 2018). One study from Guangzhou followed trends in IgE mediated allergic sensitization among children with allergic rhinitis over 10 years (2007–2016) They concluded that sensitization to HDM and to cat and dog dander had increased over 10 years (Yang et al, 2018). Few Chinese population studies exist on early life risk factors for furry pet allergy. Objectives: We studied childhood respiratory symptoms when in contact with furry pets in relation to early life exposure. ETS, dampness and mould, condensation on windows in wintertime, and cats and dog keeping were associated with FP symptoms. Cooking with an electric stove and early life exposure to animals (cats, dogs, farm environment during pregnancy) were protective for diagnosed rhinitis not related to furry pets. Life dampness and mould can be risk factors for rhinitis related and not related to furry pets. Exposure to animals (cats, dogs, farm environment) may reduce diagnosed rhinitis not related to furry pets
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