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Month of birth and allergic disease at the age of 10
1von Haunersche Kinderklinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München, Germany.
Insights
Birth month may slightly influence the risk of developing allergic diseases like asthma and hay fever. Specific months show increased or decreased risks for allergic sensitization and atopic conditions.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Environmental Health
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Allergic diseases, including asthma, hay fever, and skin sensitization, are significant public health concerns.
- The influence of environmental factors, such as birth season, on the development of atopic conditions is an area of ongoing research.
- Previous studies suggest potential links between birth month and allergic disease prevalence, but findings require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between month of birth and the risk of developing allergic sensitization, hay fever, and allergic asthma in a large cohort of children.
- To determine if specific birth months are associated with a higher or lower risk of atopic diseases.
- To explore the potential role of seasonal environmental factors, like pollen exposure, in these associations.
Main Methods:
- A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted involving 6535 10-year-old children in Munich and Bavaria (1989-1990).
- The relative risk of developing atopic disease was calculated by comparing prevalence in a specific birth month against all other months.
- Statistical analysis included odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals to assess the significance of observed associations.
Main Results:
- A slightly increased risk for allergic skin sensitization to grass pollen was observed for births in February, May, and June.
- Increased risk for hay fever was associated with May births, and for allergic asthma with August births.
- Protective effects were noted for September births (allergic sensitization) and November births (hay fever).
Conclusions:
- The month of birth appears to be a minor influencing factor in the risk of developing allergic sensitization and atopic diseases.
- Seasonal variations in environmental exposures, such as grass pollen and house dust, may contribute to the observed birth month effects.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the complex interplay between genetics, environment, and birth timing in allergy development.
Abstract:
The relationship between month of birth and asthma, hay fever and skin sensitization to mixed grass pollen was analysed in a population-based cross-sectional study in Munich and Bavaria 1989-1990 of 6535 10-year-old children. The relative risk of developing atopic disease is calculated by comparing the prevalence in a single month with the prevalence of all other months. A slightly increased risk of developing allergic skin sensitization for grass pollen (n = 1128) was found for February (odds ratio, 1.3, 95% confidence interval 1.0-1.6), May (1.4, 1.1-1.8) and June (1.3, 1.0-1.6). For hay fever (n = 379) an increase was found for May (1.5, 1.0-2.1) and for allergic asthma (n = 277) for August (1.4, 1.0-2.1). A protective effect was observed for certain months of birth; September for allergic sensitization (0.8, 0.6-1.0), October for and November for hay fever (0.6, 0.3-0.9). The occurrence of hay fever and positive prick test is explained by the seasonal variation of atmospheric grass pollen and the peak in August of asthmatic patients by house dust. Date of birth appears therefore to slightly influence the risk of developing an allergic sensitization and allergic diseases.