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Perinatal influences on the development of asthma and atopy in childhood

Sabina Illi1, Juliane Weber1, Anne Zutavern1

  • 1University Children's Hospital, Munich, Germany.

Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology : Official Publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
|January 29, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Early environmental exposures, including maternal health and bacterial endotoxin, significantly influence childhood asthma and atopy development. Higher endotoxin levels were linked to reduced risk, while maternal illnesses increased asthma risk.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
  • Environmental Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Asthma and atopy onset in children often occurs early, suggesting significant environmental influences.
  • Current understanding explains only a fraction of early-onset asthma and atopy.
  • The study focuses on an affluent urban population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of early environmental exposures on asthma and atopy development.
  • To analyze the role of maternal factors and microbial exposures in early childhood disease.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study of 526 German children from birth to 5 years.
  • Parental interviews assessed child health and environmental factors during pregnancy and annually.
  • House dust endotoxin and allergen levels measured at 3 months; atopic sensitization assessed at 1 and 5 years.

Main Results:

  • Maternal atopy during pregnancy correlated with increased risk of early atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis.
  • Maternal infections (e.g., common colds) during pregnancy increased asthma risk by age 5.
  • Endotoxin exposure in the child's mattress showed an inverse association with atopic sensitization and asthma.
  • Mite exposure increased mite sensitization risk, while endotoxin exposure decreased it.

Conclusions:

  • In utero and early-life exposures, including maternal conditions and bacterial exposure, act as immunomodulators.
  • These factors can either enhance or inhibit the development of childhood asthma and atopy.
  • Understanding these early environmental influences is key to prevention strategies.
Abstract

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