Abstract
BackgroundFew prospective birth cohort studies are available on the effects of prenatal and early-life exposures on food allergy and eczema among Chinese children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of prenatal and early-life exposures on food allergy and eczema during the first year of life in a prospective birth cohort study.MethodsThis study was based on a prospective, observational birth cohort of 976 mother-child pairs in three Streets in Changsha, China from January to December 2015. Data on prenatal, early-life exposures and allergic outcomes were obtained from questionnaires collected at birth, and 1, 3, 6, 8, and 12 months of age. Multivariate logistic regression models were performed to estimate the effects of prenatal and early-life exposures on food allergy and eczema.ResultsCommon risk factors for food allergy and eczema in infancy were parental history of allergy, while moderate eggs consumption (3–4 times/week) during pregnancy was protective for both of them compared with low consumption (≤ 2 times/week). Factors only associated with food allergy were maternal aquatic products consumption during pregnancy, number of older siblings and age of solid food introduction, whereas factors only associated with eczema were maternal milk or milk products consumption during pregnancy, maternal antibiotic exposure during pregnancy, season of birth and antibiotic exposure through medication during the first year of life.ConclusionOur study suggests that factors associated with food allergy and eczema are multifaceted, which involving hereditary, environmental and nutritional exposures. Furthermore, differential factors influence the development of food allergy and eczema in infants.
Highlights
Few prospective birth cohort studies are available on the effects of prenatal and early-life exposures on food allergy and eczema among Chinese children
A history of allergy was reported by 30.1% of parents. 41.3% of infants were born by caesarean section, and most of them were born at term, with normal birth weight
During the first year of life, 23.7% of infants were exposed to antibiotics through medication. 200 of 903 (22.1%) and 226 of 903 (25.0%) infants were reported to have food allergy and eczema during the first year of life
Summary
Few prospective birth cohort studies are available on the effects of prenatal and early-life exposures on food allergy and eczema among Chinese children. Recurrent and inflammatory skin disease, which is often accompanied by itching [2] The prevalence of both food allergy and eczema among children have risen in the past decades [3, 4]. Food allergy and eczema may not be fatal, these diagnoses are associated with an adverse impact on the quality of life [5, 6] Both of them are known as the earliest expressions of allergic diseases in infancy, and they are associated with increased risks of developing other allergies in later life, such as allergic rhinitis and asthma [7, 8]. Identifying the risk and protective factors for food allergy and eczema may help to develop specific and early preventative measures, and to reduce the prevalence of food allergy and eczema, even that of allergic diseases
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