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Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
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Published on: August 7, 2017

High birth weight, asthma and atopy at the age of 16 yr

S T Remes1, S P Patel, A-L Hartikainen

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland. sami.remes@kuh.fi

Pediatric Allergy and Immunology : Official Publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
|January 23, 2008
PubMed

Insights

High birth weight is linked to an increased risk of asthma, particularly in individuals with atopy (allergic sensitization). This association may be influenced by factors related to obesity.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The link between high birth weight and asthma development is a recognized area of research.
  • Longitudinal studies are crucial for understanding developmental associations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between high birth weight and the incidence of asthma and atopic sensitization.
  • To explore the role of atopy in the birth weight-asthma relationship.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986, following 9479 participants from birth to age 16.
  • Analyzed associations using data from 5995 subjects with skin prick test results and 5500 with doctor-diagnosed asthma.
  • Defined atopy as at least one positive skin prick test reaction.

Main Results:

  • A significant association was found between high birth weight (>4510 g) and asthma in atopic subjects (OR 2.40).
  • Increased risk of atopy was observed in higher birth weight categories (>4510 g and 4200-4500 g) compared to the reference group (2500-3340 g).
  • The association between high birth weight and asthma appears to be largely mediated by an increased risk of atopy.

Conclusions:

  • High birth weight is associated with an elevated risk of developing asthma.
  • The increased risk of asthma associated with high birth weight is primarily explained by a higher likelihood of atopy.
  • Potential underlying biological mechanisms may involve factors such as obesity.

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