The use of a feather quilt, childhood asthma and allergic rhinitis: a prospective cohort study

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P Nafstad1, W Nystad, J J K Jaakkola

  • 1Section of Epidemiology, Department of Papulation Health Sciences, National Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway. per.nafstad@fhi.no

Clinical and Experimental Allergy : Journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|August 23, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Early life feather bedding use was not associated with an increased risk of childhood asthma or allergic rhinitis. This prospective study suggests feather quilts may not pose a risk for developing these common allergic diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
  • Environmental Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Feather bedding is traditionally viewed as a potential allergen source.
  • Recent studies suggest synthetic bedding may be associated with higher allergy risks.
  • This study investigates the role of early life feather bedding exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between early childhood feather bedding exposure and the development of asthma and allergic rhinitis.
  • To assess the risk of bronchial obstruction in infants exposed to feather quilts.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cohort study of 2531 Norwegian children was conducted over 4 years.
  • Exposure to feather quilts was assessed at 6 months of age.
  • Development of bronchial obstruction, asthma, and allergic rhinitis was monitored until age 4.

Main Results:

  • Feather quilt use decreased from 24% at 6 months to 20% at 2 years.
  • Exposure to feather quilts at 6 months was associated with reduced odds of bronchial obstruction (OR 0.59) and asthma (OR 0.38) by age 4.
  • The association with allergic rhinitis was not statistically significant (OR 0.73).

Conclusions:

  • Early life exposure to feather quilts does not appear to increase the risk of asthma or allergic rhinitis.
  • Findings challenge the traditional view of feather bedding as a significant allergen risk factor in early childhood.
Abstract

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