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Moisture damage and asthma: a birth cohort study.
Anne M Karvonen1, Anne Hyvärinen2, Matti Korppi3
1Department of Environmental Health, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland; anne.karvonen@thl.fi.
Pediatrics
|February 18, 2015
Summary
Early life exposure to home moisture damage and mold in main living areas increases asthma risk in children. Atopic children appear more vulnerable to these environmental triggers.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
- Allergy and Immunology
Background:
- Excess moisture and visible mold in homes are linked to higher asthma risk.
- Limited research has detailed the extent and location of indoor mold and moisture damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between early-life home moisture and mold exposure and asthma development in a birth cohort.
- To determine if specific locations of mold/moisture damage impact asthma risk.
Main Methods:
- A birth cohort of 398 children underwent structured home inspections at 5 months of age.
- Children were followed until age 6, with asthma diagnoses and respiratory symptoms recorded.
- Specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) concentrations were measured at age 6.
Main Results:
- Moisture damage and mold in main living areas (not bathrooms) during infancy were associated with physician-diagnosed asthma, persistent asthma, and respiratory symptoms up to age 6.
- Strongest associations for asthma ever were observed with mold in the child's bedroom (aOR=4.82) and living room (aOR=7.51).
- Associations were more pronounced early in follow-up and in children with atopy; no clear link to atopic sensitization was found.
Conclusions:
- Infant exposure to moisture damage and mold in primary living spaces is linked to asthma development.
- Children with atopy may be more susceptible to asthma development from these environmental exposures.
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