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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

Molds, parental atopy and pediatric incident asthma

B-F Hwang1, I-P Liu, T-P Huang

  • 1Department of Occupational Safety and Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. bfhwang@mail.cmu.edu.tw

Indoor Air
|July 20, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Parental atopy and mold exposure are key factors in childhood asthma development. Children with atopic parents exposed to molds face a higher risk, indicating a significant interaction effect.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatric Allergy
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Parental atopy is a known risk factor for childhood asthma.
  • Indoor environmental exposures, such as molds, are also implicated in asthma development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the independent and combined effects of parental atopy and mold exposure on childhood asthma incidence.
  • To explore the interaction between parental atopy and mold exposure in the development of asthma.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort-based, incident case-control study was conducted.
  • 188 children with new-onset asthma (cases) and 376 matched controls were analyzed.
  • Parental atopy, water damage history, visible mold, and mold odor were assessed as exposures.

Main Results:

  • Parental atopy significantly increased the odds of childhood asthma (aOR 3.29).
  • Exposure to visible mold (aOR 1.76) and mold odor (aOR 2.09) were independent risk factors.
  • An interaction was observed between parental atopy and mold exposure on an additive scale.

Conclusions:

  • Indoor dampness problems and parental atopy are confirmed determinants of childhood asthma.
  • The interaction between parental atopy and mold exposure highlights increased susceptibility in children with both risk factors.

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