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Updated: May 21, 2026

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

[A birth cohort study on allergic diseases among toddlers in Northwest Germany]

H Pohlabeln1, S Jacobs, J Böhmann

  • 1BIPS - Institut für Epidemiologie und Präventionsforschung, Achterstr. 30, 28359, Bremen, Deutschland. pohlabeln@bips.uni-bremen.de

Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz
|June 28, 2012
PubMed

Insights

A dog in the household may reduce allergy risk in children without a family history of allergies. Long breastfeeding offers protection, particularly if the father has allergies, but maternal allergies may increase risk.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
  • Environmental Health
  • Epidemiology

Context:

  • A birth cohort study involving over 3,000 newborns was conducted in Germany during the late 1990s.
  • The study followed children for 24 months, collecting data through baseline and multiple follow-up surveys.
  • Recruitment occurred in five hospitals across Delmenhorst, Wilhelmshaven, and Leer.

Purpose:

  • To estimate the prevalence of allergy symptoms in early childhood.
  • To analyze the association between breastfeeding, pet exposure (specifically dogs), and the development of allergy symptoms.
  • To investigate the influence of familial predisposition on these associations.

Summary:

  • Children with a dog in the household showed increased allergy risk only if a familial predisposition for allergic diseases was present; otherwise, dog exposure appeared to reduce atopic disease risk.
  • Prolonged breastfeeding demonstrated a protective effect, especially when allergic diseases were present in the paternal history.
  • Conversely, an exclusive maternal history of allergic diseases seemed to elevate the risk for atopic diseases in offspring.

Impact:

  • The study highlights the complex interplay between genetics, environment (pets), and early life exposures (breastfeeding) in allergy development.
  • The recruitment strategy, utilizing hospital obstetrical departments and pediatricians' offices, proved effective for building a large cohort.
  • The longitudinal data allowed for robust analysis, accounting for confounders and effect modifiers, validating the study's design.

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