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Born small for gestational age: relation to future allergy and asthma
B Hesselmar1, J Dahlgren, G Wennergren
1Department of Paediatrics, Göteborg University, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sweden. bill.hesselmar@medfak.gu.se
Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|November 5, 2002
Summary
Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) does not appear to protect against developing allergies. This study found similar allergy rates in individuals with and without IUGR, suggesting no protective effect.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is associated with various long-term health outcomes.
- The potential protective role of IUGR against allergic diseases remains unclear.
- Understanding this relationship is crucial for predicting allergy development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) confers protection against the development of allergic diseases.
- To assess the association between birth size and later-life allergy prevalence.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 1515 subjects aged 15-25 years.
- Cases were defined as individuals with birthweight/length below -2 SD for gestational age, identified from national birth registers.
- Allergic disease frequencies were assessed via questionnaires in 950 participants.
Main Results:
- The study found no significant difference in the frequencies of allergic diseases between subjects with IUGR and controls.
- Allergy prevalence was similar in both groups among the 950 participants who responded to the questionnaire.
Conclusions:
- Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) does not provide protection against the development of allergies.
- The findings suggest that IUGR is not a mitigating factor for allergy development in later life.