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Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
05:31

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels

Published on: August 7, 2017

First evidence of a possible association between gastric acid suppression during pregnancy and childhood asthma: a

E Dehlink1, E Yen, A M Leichtner

  • 1Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Clinical and Experimental Allergy : Journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|January 13, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Maternal use of acid-suppressive medications during pregnancy was linked to an increased risk of childhood asthma in offspring. This study provides evidence of a significant association between in utero drug exposure and asthma development.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
  • Perinatal Pharmacology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Emerging data in mice suggest prenatal acid suppression may predispose offspring to allergies.
  • Understanding the impact of maternal medication use on child health is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between in utero exposure to acid-suppressive drugs and the development of allergic diseases in children.
  • To determine if prenatal exposure to acid suppression increases the risk of childhood asthma.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based cohort study utilizing Swedish national healthcare registers.
  • Linking data on maternal medication use, birth outcomes, and childhood diagnoses/prescriptions for allergic diseases.
  • Statistical analysis using the Mantel-Haenszel procedure to assess associations.

Main Results:

  • Prenatal exposure to acid-suppressive medications was associated with an increased risk of childhood allergy (OR 1.43).
  • This association persisted regardless of drug type, timing, or maternal allergy history.
  • A significant increase in the odds of developing childhood asthma was observed (OR 1.51), but not other allergic diseases.

Conclusions:

  • This study presents the first evidence linking in utero exposure to acid-suppressive drugs with an elevated risk of childhood asthma.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms behind this association and its clinical implications.
Abstract

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