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Allergic disease in the first year of life is associated with differences in subsequent neurodevelopment and
Suzanne J Meldrum1, Nina D'Vaz, Janet A Dunstan
1School of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia. smeldrum@meddent.uwa.edu.au
Insights
Infant allergic diseases, particularly eczema, are linked to lower motor scores. Non-IgE mediated food allergies correlate with internalizing behaviors in toddlers. Allergic sensitization showed no independent neurodevelopmental effects.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Child Health Research
Background:
- Emerging evidence suggests a connection between early childhood atopy, allergic conditions, and neuropsychological development.
- The precise nature of this association, however, remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between allergic disease and sensitization in infants at 12 months of age and their neurodevelopmental outcomes at 18 months.
- Investigating potential links between specific allergic phenotypes and cognitive, behavioral, and motor development.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study involving infants with a maternal history of allergic disease (n=324).
- Allergic outcomes (sensitization, eczema, IgE-mediated and food allergy) assessed at 12 months.
- Neurodevelopmental assessments at 18 months included the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (Bayley-III), Achenbach Child Behaviour Checklist, and Macarthur Scales of Infant and Toddler Development.
Main Results:
- Children diagnosed with any allergic disease at 12 months exhibited reduced motor scores (p=.016), most notably those with eczema (p=.007).
- Non-IgE mediated food allergy was significantly associated with increased internalizing behaviors (p=.010).
- A trend suggested IgE-mediated food allergies might affect the Social-Emotional composite score (p=.052), while allergic sensitization showed no independent impact.
Conclusions:
- Infant allergic phenotypes are associated with measurable effects on neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this relationship and its long-term implications.
Background:
Recent trials suggest a link between neuropsychological function, atopy and allergic disease particularly in early childhood; however the nature of this association remains unclear.
Aims:
To investigate the relationship between early allergic disease and sensitisation at 12 months of age and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 18 months.
Study Design:
Linear or binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine whether allergic diseases or sensitization at 12 months of age was a significant predictor of neurodevelopmental test scores at the 18 months.
Subjects:
Infants with a maternal history of allergic disease (n=324).
Outcome Measures:
Allergic outcomes at 12 months of age included allergen sensitisation, eczema, IgE-mediated and food allergy, and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 18 included the Bayley Scales of Infant Toddler Development III Edition, the Achenbach Child Behaviour Checklist and the Macarthur Scales of Infant Toddler Development.
Results:
Children with any diagnosed allergic disease at 12 months had evidence of reduced motor scores (p=.016), and this was most apparent for a diagnosis of eczema (p=.007). Non-IgE mediated food allergy was significantly positively associated with problem Internalising Behaviours (p=.010), along with a trend for effects on the Social-Emotional composite score for IgE-Mediated food allergies (p=.052). Allergic sensitisation was not independently associated with any effects on neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Conclusion:
This study provides evidence that an allergic phenotype in infancy is associated with effects on neurodevelopment. Further research is required to investigate the nature of this relationship.
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