Risk Factor For Atopic Disease Research Articles

Allergic Diseases and Childhood Obesity: A Detrimental Link?

Several epidemiological studies have described childhood obesity as a risk factor for atopic disease, particularly asthma. At the same time, this association seems to be more conflicting for allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and chronic urticaria. This article aims to deepen the possibility of a relationship between childhood obesity and allergic diseases. As regards asthma, the mechanical and inflammatory effects of obesity can lead to its development. In addition, excess adiposity is associated with increased production of inflammatory cytokines and adipokines, leading to low-grade systemic inflammation and an increased risk of asthma exacerbations. Allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, food allergies, and chronic urticaria also seem to be related to this state of chronic low-grade systemic inflammation typical of obese children. Vitamin D deficiency appears to play a role in allergic rhinitis, while dyslipidemia and skin barrier defects could explain the link between obesity and atopic dermatitis. Starting from this evidence, it becomes of fundamental importance to act on body weight control to achieve general and allergic health, disentangling the detrimental link between obesity allergic diseases and childhood obesity. Further studies on the association between adiposity and atopy are needed, confirming the biologically active role of fat tissue in the development of allergic diseases and exploring the possibility of new therapeutic strategies.

Dupilumab as Adjunct Treatment for Persistent Food Allergy in Adulthood

Atopic disease affects both immunocompetent and immunodeficient patients. Known risk factors for atopic disease, such as atopic dermatitis (AD) and IgE mediated food allergy, include impaired skin integrity, Th2 predominance, and altered T-regulatory activity. Food allergies in particular can be life-threatening and there is no known cure, although immunomodulatory (anti IL-4Rα/IL-13, anti IL-5, and anti IgE) trials for food allergy are underway. The allergen-specific IgE levels and skin prick tests of atopic dermatitis patients often decrease while on dupilumab (anti IL-4Rα/IL-13) therapy but the question remains: does dupilumab improve or eliminate food allergy? One case report has reported success with dupilumab in an adult woman. Here we describe the de-labeling of several allergenic foods in an adult patient being treated for AD with dupilumab.A 29-year-old man presented to our allergy clinic with a history of severe AD and multiple food allergies. His eczema had been recalcitrant to high-dose topical steroids, BB-UVB phototherapy, cyclosporine, methotrexate, and both intramuscular and intralesional Kenalog (ILK). He finally improved on weekly dupilumab dosing and did not have adverse effects from dupilumab therapy. His food allergies posed significant morbidity with multiple reactions requiring epinephrine as well as ongoing anxiety regarding cross-contact. His history is notable for childhood reactions to peanut, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish, with concordantly elevated skin prick and specific IgE levels. After dupilumab therapy, these reactions decreased, leading to a risk/benefit discussion and agreement to perform physician-guided oral food challenges in an effort to broaden his diet (Figure 1). The majority of challenges were passed and the patient has maintained those foods in his diet (Figure 2). In addition, the patient reports substantial improvement in his anxiety at work as well as in social interactions. In this case, dupilumab as an immodulatory agent for AD offered the additional benefit of decreasing morbidity from food allergies. Given the persistence of food allergy, further research into adjunctive therapeutic options is vital to improving patient quality of life. Unlike other therapies like JAKinhibitors and systemic steroids used for atopic dermatitis, anti-IL-4Rα/IL-13 therapy is not immunosuppressive and has a favorable side-effect profile for patients. [Display omitted] [Display omitted]

Atopic Manifestations in Children Born Preterm: A Long-Term Observational Study.

(1) Background: Preterm birth exposes the infant to the known risk factors for atopic diseases. We aimed to study the neonatal risk factors and to describe the clinical manifestations of atopy, including the march of symptoms, in a cohort of preschool children born preterm. (2) Methods: We enrolled neonates with gestational age < 32 weeks or birth weight < 1500 g. We classified patients in cases and controls according to the presence of at least one atopic manifestation. (3) Results: We observed 72 cases and 93 controls. Multivariate models showed that the administration of more than one cycle of antibiotics (B 0.902, p = 0.026) and gestational diabetes (B 1.207, p = 0.035) influence the risk of atopy in babies born preterm. In addition, risk of atopic dermatitis was influenced by gestational age < 29 weeks (B −1.710, p = 0.025) and gestational diabetes (B 1.275, p = 0.027). The risk of wheeze was associated with familiarity for asthma (B 1.392, p = 0.022) and the administration of more than one cycle of antibiotics (B 0.969, p = 0.025). We observed a significant reduction in the rate of atopic manifestation after 2 years of life (33.9% vs. 23.8%, p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: Modifiable (gestational diabetes, antibiotics use) and unmodifiable (familiarity for asthma) conditions influence the risk of atopy in babies born preterm. Extreme prematurity reduces the risk of atopic dermatitis. Preterm babies showed a peculiar atopic march.

Atopic diseases and airway-related symptoms in Bavarian pre-schoolers: determinants and association with immunization.

Atopic diseases are among the most common chronic conditions in childhood. Causes of allergies are manifold. The aim of this paper is to evaluate risk factors for atopic diseases and unremitting wheeze and to examine if there is an association between measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination and atopic dermatitis, asthma and unremitting wheeze in Bavarian pre-schoolers. Parents filled out a questionnaire on children's health and environmental and socioeconomic factors. The questionnaire was administered within the Health Monitoring Units in a cross-sectional study in Bavaria, Germany (2014/2015). Data on vaccinations were obtained via the School Entrance Examination, a mandatory examination for pre-school children in Bavaria. Rates of influential factors of atopic diseases and wheeze, MMR and DTP (diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus) vaccination were calculated for all children stratified by health outcomes. To examine if there is an association between MMR vaccination and health outcomes, a multiple logistic regression analysis was performed. Data were available for 3237 individuals. Symptoms and diseases were more frequent in boys. Higher parental education was associated with a higher prevalence of atopic dermatitis. There were no significant associations between any of the health outcome groups and MMR vaccination in the multiple logistic regression models with adjustment for potential confounders. The present study is in line with the current state of research that MMR vaccination is not associated with atopic diseases.

Excessive Unbalanced Meat Consumption in the First Year of Life Increases Asthma Risk in the PASTURE and LUKAS2 Birth Cohorts.

A higher diversity of food items introduced in the first year of life has been inversely related to subsequent development of asthma. In the current analysis, we applied latent class analysis (LCA) to systematically assess feeding patterns and to relate them to asthma risk at school age. PASTURE (N=1133) and LUKAS2 (N=228) are prospective birth cohort studies designed to evaluate protective and risk factors for atopic diseases, including dietary patterns. Feeding practices were reported by parents in monthly diaries between the 4th and 12th month of life. For 17 common food items parents indicated frequency of feeding during the last 4 weeks in 4 categories. The resulting 153 ordinal variables were entered in a LCA. The intestinal microbiome was assessed at the age of 12 months by 16S rRNA sequencing. Data on feeding practice with at least one reported time point was available in 1042 of the 1133 recruited children. Best LCA model fit was achieved by the 4-class solution. One class showed an elevated risk of asthma at age 6 as compared to the other classes (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 8.47, 95% CI 2.52–28.56, p = 0.001) and was characterized by daily meat consumption and rare consumption of milk and yoghurt. A refined LCA restricted to meat, milk, and yoghurt confirmed the asthma risk effect of a particular class in PASTURE and independently in LUKAS2, which we thus termed unbalanced meat consumption (UMC). The effect of UMC was particularly strong for non-atopic asthma and asthma irrespectively of early bronchitis (aOR: 17.0, 95% CI 5.2–56.1, p < 0.001). UMC fostered growth of iron scavenging bacteria such as Acinetobacter (aOR: 1.28, 95% CI 1.00-1.63, p = 0.048), which was also related to asthma (aOR: 1.55, 95% CI 1.18-2.03, p = 0.001). When reconstructing bacterial metabolic pathways from 16S rRNA sequencing data, biosynthesis of siderophore group nonribosomal peptides emerged as top hit (aOR: 1.58, 95% CI 1.13-2.19, p = 0.007). By a data-driven approach we found a pattern of overly meat consumption at the expense of other protein sources to confer risk of asthma. Microbiome analysis of fecal samples pointed towards overgrowth of iron-dependent bacteria and bacterial iron metabolism as a potential explanation.

Risk factors for atopic diseases and recurrent respiratory tract infections in children.

IntroductionThe simultaneously increased prevalence of atopic diseases and decreased prevalence of infectious diseases might point to a link between the two entities. Past work mainly focused on either atopic diseases or recurrent infections. We aim to investigate whether risk factors for atopic diseases (ie, asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and/or food allergy) differ from risk factors for recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs) in children.MethodsCross‐sectional data were used from 5517 children aged 1 to 18 years who participated in an Electronic Portal for children between 2011 and 2019. Univariable/multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine risk factors for any atopic disease and RRTIs.ResultsChildren aged ≥5 years were more likely to have any atopic disease (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.50‐2.77) and less likely to have RRTIs (OR: 0.68‐0.84) compared to children aged less than 5 years. Female sex (OR: 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.63‐0.81), low birth weight (OR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.57‐0.97) and dog ownership (OR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.66‐0.95) reduced the odds of any atopic disease, but not of RRTIs. Daycare attendance (OR: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.02‐1.47) was associated with RRTIs, but not with atopic diseases. A family history of asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and RRTIs was significantly associated with the same entity in children, with OR varying from 1.58 (95% CI: 1.35‐1.85) in allergic rhinitis to 2.20 (95% CI: 1.85‐2.61) in asthma.ConclusionRisk factors for atopic diseases are distinct from risk factors for RRTIs, suggesting that the changing prevalence of both entities is not related to shared risk factors.

Oxidative stress is associated with atopic indices in relation to childhood rhinitis and asthma.

The association between oxidative stress and atopic diseases is uncertain. Several risk factors for atopic diseases have been identified, however, a comprehensive investigation of the relationship between oxidative stress markers and atopic indices related to atopic diseases is currently lacking. We investigated 132 children who completed a 7-years follow-up in a birth cohort. Oxidative stress markers including plasma glutathione peroxidase (GPx), myeloperoxidase (MPO), total anti-oxidant capacity (TAC), and urine 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels were measured. Allergen-specific IgE levels, FeNO levels, and pulmonary function tests were also obtained. The activity of GPx and levels of MPO were inversely correlated to food (shrimp and crab) and house dust mite sensitization respectively. The 8-OHdG levels were strongly negatively correlated with FeNO levels (p<0.01). A significant positive correlation was found between TAC levels and pre-and post-bronchodilator FVC % and FEV1% predicted (p<0.05). All oxidative stress markers were not associated with the risk of atopic diseases. However, GPx-related crab sensitization and 8-OHdG related FeNO levels were significantly associated with increased risk of allergic rhinitis, while MPO-related mite sensitization and TAC-related pulmonary function parameters were strongly associated with risk of asthma (p<0.01). Oxidative stress is strongly correlated with allergic indices, potentially playing a role in the modulation of allergic responses contributing to atopic diseases.

Prevalence and risk factors for atopic disease in a population of preschool children in Rome: Challenges to early intervention.

Allergic diseases are complex identities determined by an interplay of genetic and environmental factors, resulting in the clinical manifestation of the disease. So far in Italy, updated data about the prevalence and risk factors of respiratory and allergic diseases in preschool children are not available. Children aged 3-5 years, attending four different nursery schools in an urban district of the city of Rome. A standardized questionnaire developed under the SIDRIA-2 protocol was administered to the parents of the children for the assessment of the potential risk factors and the outcomes. A total of 494 children were enrolled in the study; 289 of them (60.3%) performed a skin prick test (SPT). In the 12 months preceding the interviews, 15% of children experienced at least one episode of wheezing, 5.5% of allergic rhinitis, 11% of children had a doctor diagnosis of asthma, 12% of children who underwent the SPT were positive to at least one of the tested allergens, being diagnosed as atopic. The univariate analysis for the health outcomes of the study shows that asthma was positively associated with daycare attendance, mother's history of atopy, siblings' history of atopy, recurrent siblings' bronchitis, and dermatitis. Atopy was positively associated with mother's history of atopy and dermatitis, whereas there is a borderline protective association with recurrent siblings' bronchitis. This study represents a first comprehensive epidemiological evaluation of prevalence of respiratory and allergic diseases in children aged 3-5 years in the city of Rome and an updating of the evolution of allergic diseases.

Synergistic Effect of Traffic-Related Air Pollution and Allergic Sensitization on Rhinitis Development

Objectives: Rhinitis is a common chronic respiratory disease affecting 10-40% of children in the United States. Allergen sensitization is a potential risk factor for atopic disease and the prevalen...

Filaggrin-stratified transcriptomic analysis of pediatric skin identifies mechanistic pathways in patients with atopic dermatitis

BackgroundAtopic dermatitis (AD; eczema) is characterized by a widespread abnormality in cutaneous barrier function and propensity to inflammation. Filaggrin is a multifunctional protein and plays a key role in skin barrier formation. Loss-of-function mutations in the gene encoding filaggrin (FLG) are a highly significant risk factor for atopic disease, but the molecular mechanisms leading to dermatitis remain unclear.ObjectiveWe sought to interrogate tissue-specific variations in the expressed genome in the skin of children with AD and to investigate underlying pathomechanisms in atopic skin.MethodsWe applied single-molecule direct RNA sequencing to analyze the whole transcriptome using minimal tissue samples. Uninvolved skin biopsy specimens from 26 pediatric patients with AD were compared with site-matched samples from 10 nonatopic teenage control subjects. Cases and control subjects were screened for FLG genotype to stratify the data set.ResultsTwo thousand four hundred thirty differentially expressed genes (false discovery rate, P < .05) were identified, of which 211 were significantly upregulated and 490 downregulated by greater than 2-fold. Gene ontology terms for “extracellular space” and “defense response” were enriched, whereas “lipid metabolic processes” were downregulated. The subset of FLG wild-type cases showed dysregulation of genes involved with lipid metabolism, whereas filaggrin haploinsufficiency affected global gene expression and was characterized by a type 1 interferon–mediated stress response.ConclusionThese analyses demonstrate the importance of extracellular space and lipid metabolism in atopic skin pathology independent of FLG genotype, whereas an aberrant defense response is seen in subjects with FLG mutations. Genotype stratification of the large data set has facilitated functional interpretation and might guide future therapy development.

Caesarean delivery and risk of developing atopic diseases in children

Background Caesarean delivery has been suggested to alterneonatal immune respon ses and increase the risk of atopicdiseases. Howevei; previous studies have reported inconsistentfindings.Objective To investigate a possible association between caesareandelivery and the development of atopic diseases in children.Methods This case-control study involved 100 children aged 3months-12 years, in Sanglah Hospital, Denpasai; Indonesia. Fiftyinfants and children with a confirmed diagnosis of atopic diseasesand 50 sex-paired controls (non-atopic infants and children)were enrolled. Demographic data was obtained, including modeof delivery and relevant history connected to atopic diseases.Skin prick test to four common aeroallergens was performed inall subjects. Possible confounding factors were considered in amultivariable logis tic regression model.Results Caesarean section was not significant as a risk factor foratopic diseases in a multivariate analysis [OR 2.4 (95%CI 0.7 to8.4; P=0.164)]. Howevei; multiple logistic regression analysisshowed that atopic diseases was significantly associated with apositive family history of atopy. Furthermore, caesarean sectionwas associated with a higher risk of atopic diseases in a subgroupanalysis for family history of atopy [OR= 4 (95%CI 1 to 16.2;P= 0.04)].Conclusion Children delivered by caesarean section and have afamily history of atopy have a 4-fo ld higher risk of atopic diseases.

No association between loss-of-function mutations in filaggrin and diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality.

BackgroundCommon loss-of-function mutations in the filaggrin gene (FLG) are a major predisposing risk factor for atopic disease due to reduced epidermal filaggrin protein levels. We previously observed an association between these mutations and type 2 diabetes and hypothesized that an inherited impairment of skin barrier functions could facilitate low-grade inflammation and hence increase the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. We examined the association between loss-of-function mutations in FLG and diabetes, stroke, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and all-cause mortality in the general population.MethodsThe R501X and 2282del4 loss-of function mutations in FLG were genotyped in four Danish study populations including a total of 13373 adults aged 15-77 years. Two of the studies also genotyped the R2447X mutation. By linkage to Danish national central registers we obtained information for all participants on dates of diagnoses of diabetes, stroke, and IHD, as well as all-cause mortality. Data were analyzed by Cox proportional hazard models and combined by fixed effect meta-analyses.ResultsIn meta-analyses combining the results from the four individual studies, carriage of loss-of-function mutations in FLG was not associated with incident diabetes (hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence intervals (CI)) = 0.95 (0.73, 1.23), stroke (HR (95% CI) = 1.27 (0.97, 1.65), ischemic heart disease (HR (95%CI) = 0.92 (0.71, 1.19), and all-cause mortality (HR (95%CI) = 1.02 (0.83, 1.25)). Similar results were obtained when including prevalent cases in logistic regression models.ConclusionOur results suggest that loss-of-function mutations in FLG are not associated with type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality. However, larger studies with longer follow-up are needed to exclude any associations.

A Synopsis of the Synopses, 2012–2013

This synopsis book reports advances and key observations that will impact the care of children with allergic and immunologic diseases now and in the near future. Reviewers selected many articles that have clinical “pearls” and provide insights that are applicable for daily practice, as well as ones that challenge our previous notions and provide data that may lead to new approaches for diagnosis and treatment. Prevention of atopic disease requires identification of environmental factors that confer risk or provide protection. Studies reviewed here substantially support the “hygiene hypothesis” and suggest that pet exposure and having siblings are protective, whereas use of antibiotics during pregnancy is a risk factor for atopic disease. The Section on Allergy and Immunology–cosponsored Clinical Report on atopy prevention through diet1 continues to ring true with regard to having no restrictions on selection of complementary foods for an infant’s early diet if he or she is otherwise healthy. In fact, studies reviewed here suggest that exposure to a variety of foods, including allergenic ones, in the first year is not likely to induce allergy and may be protective. Vitamin D insufficiency remains a potential risk factor for atopy, presumably because of adverse effects on immune function and regulation, although studies reviewed here present conflicting evidence and randomized trials are needed to better identify the …

Role of parental atopy in cow's milk allergy: a population-based study

BackgroundA family history of atopy has been considered an independent risk factor for atopic diseases in children. ObjectiveTo relate the risk of an infant developing IgE-mediated cow's milk allergy (IgE-CMA) to the atopic status of parents. MethodsAssessment of the parental atopic status of children with IgE-CMA (n = 66) previously identified in a large-scale prospective study was compared with the parental atopic status of a control group of healthy infants (n = 156). The atopic status was identified both by self-reporting and skin prick tests (SPTs). ResultsAnalysis for the risk for infants to develop IgE-CMA depended on the assessment method used. No significant differences were noted in self-reported parental atopic status between the IgE-CMA patients and the control group. However, among the subgroup of infants with persistent IgE-CMA (n = 25), maternal but not paternal self-reporting for atopy was more likely compared with parents of the control group (P = .04). In contrast, when analyzed by SPT, in both this persistent subgroup and the total allergic cohort, no significant differences were noted whether analyzed by single parent or both parents and whether the parent tested singly or multiply positive on the SPT. ConclusionIn families with children with persistent IgE-CMA, self-reporting of atopy by parents may be biased. Furthermore, the demonstration of IgE-mediated responses to allergens in parents is insufficient by itself, in a general population cohort, to predict which infants are at greatest risk of developing IgE-CMA.

Prevalence and risk factors of atopic diseases in German children and adolescents

Atopic diseases became an important health problem in affluent Western societies. To study the prevalence and factors associated with the risk of atopic diseases in Germany, data from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) were analysed (n = 17,450). Standardized, computer-assisted personal interviews with parents and parent-administered questionnaires provided physician diagnoses of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis and asthma as well as data on demographic characteristics, migration background, birth order, age at the beginning of nursery, atopic diseases of parents, parents' smoking status, parents' occupation, breastfeeding and living environment. The life-time prevalence of atopic dermatitis was 13.2% (95% confidence limit: 12.5-13.9%), 10.7% (10.1-11.3%) for allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and 4.7% (4.3-5.1%) for asthma. At least one atopic disease in parents was the strongest factor associated with atopic diseases in the offspring, with a prevalence ratio of up to 2.6. High and middle socio-economic status (prevalence ratio, 95% confidence limit: 1.28, 1.12-1.46; 1.15, 1.01-1.32) were associated with the risk of atopic dermatitis, whereas a two-sided background of migration reduced the risk (0.76, 0.65-0.88). Factors that reduced the risk of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis were parents working as self-employed farmers (0.48, 0.30-0.76) and older siblings (0.80, 0.71-0.89), whereas the beginning of nursery school at older age was associated with an increased risk in children who were cared for outside the family before school age (1.05, 1.00-1.10). Living in mould-infested rooms (1.64, 1.23-2.19), an urban living environment (1.20, 1.02-1.42) and a smoking mother and/or father (1.20, 1.02-1.40) were associated with the risk of asthma. Our results are in line with the so-called 'hygiene hypothesis', which emphasizes the role of environmental factors in addition to a genetic predisposition in the development of atopic diseases. Research on factors associated with atopic diseases can facilitate decisions on preventive strategies. Further studies are needed to explore trends in prevalence and risk factors for atopic diseases.

Prediction of the incidence and persistence of allergic rhinitis in adolescence: A prospective cohort study

Predictive models have rarely been used in allergy research and practice. However, they might support physicians in advising patients. The aim of this study was to create predictive models for the incidence and persistence of allergic rhinitis (AR) during adolescence. A prospective population-based cohort study was conducted starting at age 9 to 11 years. Potential risk factors for atopic diseases obtained at baseline in 2810 subjects were used to create predictive logistic regression models for the incidence and persistence of physician-diagnosed AR with current symptoms at age 15 to 18 years. Positive skin prick test responses to outdoor allergens at baseline were the most important determinant for both the incidence and persistence of AR until follow-up. For the incidence of AR, positive skin prick test responses to indoor allergens, parental history of asthma, female sex, and not having been breast-fed exclusively for 2 or more months were additional statistically significant independent risk factors. Depending on the number of risk factors present, the probability of the incidence of AR increased from 2% (no risk factors present) to 72% (full model; 95% CI, 58% to 85%). The probability of persistence of AR ranged from 33% (no risk factors present) to 83% (full model; 95% CI, 70% to 97%). The course of AR over puberty can be predicted using risk factors that are easy to determine in childhood. Sensitization to outdoor allergens seems to play a much greater role for disease development than sensitization to indoor allergens. This might help pediatricians in advising patients.

Folic Acid Use in Pregnancy and the Development of Atopy, Asthma, and Lung Function in Childhood

Recently, folic acid supplementation during pregnancy was implicated as a potential risk factor for atopic diseases in childhood. To investigate whether folic acid supplementation and higher intracellular folic acid (ICF) levels during pregnancy increase the risk of childhood atopic diseases. In the KOALA Birth Cohort Study (N=2834), data on eczema and wheeze were collected by using repeated questionnaires at 3, 7, 12, and 24 months, 4 to 5 years, and 6 to 7 years after delivery. Atopic dermatitis and total and specific immunoglobulin E levels were determined at age 2 years and asthma and lung function at age 6 to 7 years. We defined folic acid use as stand-alone and/or multivitamin supplements according to the period of use before and/or during pregnancy. ICF levels were determined in blood samples taken at ∼35 weeks of pregnancy (n=837). Multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses were conducted, with generalized estimating equation models for repeated outcomes. Maternal folic acid supplement use during pregnancy was not associated with increased risk of wheeze, lung function, asthma, or related atopic outcomes in the offspring. Maternal ICF level in late pregnancy was inversely associated with asthma risk at age 6 to 7 years in a dose-dependent manner (P for trend=.05). Our results do not confirm any meaningful association between folic acid supplement use during pregnancy and atopic diseases in the offspring. Higher ICF levels in pregnancy tended, at most, toward a small decreased risk for developing asthma.

Parental Atopy Is Not A Risk Factor For Ige-Mediated Cow's Milk Protein Allergy (Ige-CMA)

RATIONALE: A family history of atopy has been associated as an independent risk factor for atopic diseases in children and as a risk factor for IgE-CMA. Our objective was to relate the increased risk of an infant developing IgE-CMA to the atopic status of parents.

Breast-feeding and atopic disease: A cohort study from childhood to middle age

The literature regarding the association between breast-feeding and atopic diseases has been contradictory. We have assessed the relationship between breast-feeding and atopic disorders in a cohort followed into middle age. The Tasmanian Asthma Study is a population-based prospective cohort study that has followed participants from the age of 7 to 44 years. Exclusive breast-feeding in the first 3 months of life was examined as a risk factor for atopic diseases by using multiple logistic regression and generalized estimating equation analyses. At age 7 years, exclusively breast-fed children with a maternal history of atopy had a marginally lesser risk of current asthma than those not exclusively breast-fed (odds ratio [OR], 0.8; 95% CI, 0.6-1.0). However, after age 7 years, the risk reversed, and exclusively breast-fed children had an increased risk of current asthma at 14 (OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.02-2.07), 32 (OR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.06-3.3), and 44 (OR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.15-2.14) years. Exclusively breast-fed children also had a reduced risk of food allergy at age 7 years but an increased risk of food allergy (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.1-1.5) and allergic rhinitis (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.0-1.3) at 44 years. Exclusively breast-fed babies with a maternal history of atopy were less likely to develop asthma before the age of 7 years, but more likely to develop asthma after the age of 7 years. The current recommendation to breast-feed high-risk infants for protection against early wheezing illness can be confirmed. However, the recommendation should be reconsidered for protection against allergic asthma and atopy in the longer term.

Season of Birth and Risk of Atopic Disease among Children and Adolescents

Background. Season of birth (SOB) has been regarded as a risk factor for atopy. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between season of birth (SOB) and later development of atopic disease in children and adolescents. Methods. A total of 1,007 randomly selected subjects, 7 to 17 years of age, who were living in urban Copenhagen, Denmark were studied. All participants were interviewed about respiratory symptoms and possible risk factors for atopic disease. Skin test reactivity, serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE), and airway responsiveness were measured using standard techniques. Results. The overall risk of atopy, as judged by skin test reactivity and serum total IgE, was the same regardless of SOB. On the contrary, asthma was more common in subjects born in the autumn compared with subjects born during the remaining part of the year (12.4% vs. 5.6%), OR = 2.40, 95% CI (1.56–3.94), p < 0.001. This was observed both for atopic asthma OR = 2.41, 95% CI (1.25–4.64), p = 0.007, non-atopic asthma, OR = 2.35, 95% CI (1.14–4.83), p = 0.02, and house dust mite (HDM) sensitive airway hyperresponsiveness, OR = 3.00, 95% CI (1.44–6.24), p = 0.002. Rhinitis and pollen allergy were not significantly related to SOB. Conclusions. Atopy itself is independent of season of birth, whereas asthma is more prevalent among subjects born during the autumn. Regarding asthma, these results suggest that the first months of life enclose a period of particular vulnerability towards environmental risk factors, especially exposure to aeroallergens like HDM.