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Allergic manifestations in very low-birthweight infants: a 6-year follow-up

M Agosti1, C Vegni, S Gangi

  • 1Istituto Pediatria-Neonatologia, University of Milan, Italy. massimo.agosti@ospedale.varese.it

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992). Supplement
|November 6, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Very low-birthweight infants (VLBWIs) show lower overall allergy incidence compared to full-term infants by age two. However, VLBWIs have a higher prevalence of asthma (AS) but less atopic dermatitis (AD).

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Allergology
  • Neonatology

Background:

  • Allergic diseases are a significant health concern in childhood.
  • Understanding the long-term allergic outcomes for very low-birthweight infants (VLBWIs) is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the incidence of allergic manifestations in VLBWIs with full-term infants up to six years of age.
  • To identify specific allergic conditions prevalent in VLBWIs and their associated risk factors.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective follow-up of 83 VLBWIs from birth to 6 years and 98 full-term infants from birth to 2 years.
  • Clinical examinations by pediatricians to diagnose atopic dermatitis (AD), gastrointestinal disturbances (GD), and asthma (AS).
  • Analysis of allergy incidence across different VLBWI subgroups based on birth weight, gestational age, and SGA status.

Main Results:

  • Overall allergic manifestations were significantly lower in VLBWIs (31.3%) compared to full-term infants (52%) by 24 months.
  • Atopic dermatitis (AD) was more common in full-term infants (33.7%) than VLBWIs (7.2%).
  • Asthma (AS) incidence was significantly higher in VLBWIs (16.8%) than full-term infants (10.2%).
  • Gastrointestinal disturbances (GD) showed similar incidence in both groups.
  • Specific risk factors within VLBWIs included birth weight, gestational age, and SGA status for different allergic conditions.

Conclusions:

  • VLBWIs exhibit a distinct allergic manifestation profile compared to full-term infants, with a lower overall incidence but a higher risk of asthma.
  • Early identification of risk factors within VLBWI subgroups can guide targeted monitoring and management strategies.
  • Family history of allergy is a significant predictor for allergy development in infants.

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