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Moisture damage in home associates with systemic inflammation in children

K Mustonen1, A M Karvonen1, P Kirjavainen1

  • 1Department of Health Protection, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland.

Indoor Air
|May 1, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Home moisture damage and mold are linked to increased inflammation markers in children. This includes higher C-reactive protein (CRP) and greater production of specific inflammatory cytokines, suggesting a potential health risk.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatric Inflammation
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Home moisture damage is a common issue.
  • Subclinical inflammation in children can have long-term health consequences.
  • Understanding environmental triggers for inflammation is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between home moisture damage and systemic subclinical inflammation in children.
  • To assess the impact of moisture and mold on inflammatory markers.
  • To explore the relationship between environmental exposures and cytokine production.

Main Methods:

  • Home inspections were conducted in 291 children's homes at age 6.
  • Subclinical inflammation was measured using C-reactive protein (CRP), leukocytes, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO).
  • Proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) were measured in stimulated whole blood samples.

Main Results:

  • Major moisture damage in living areas and mold in bathrooms correlated with elevated CRP levels.
  • Moisture damage was associated with increased stimulated production of several proinflammatory cytokines.
  • No significant associations were found between moisture damage/mold and leukocyte or FeNO levels.

Conclusions:

  • Home moisture damage and mold may be linked to increased systemic subclinical inflammation in children.
  • These environmental factors could influence proinflammatory cytokine responsiveness.
  • Further research is needed to confirm causality and explore intervention strategies.

Keywords:
ChildrenCytokinesIndoorInflammationMoisture damageMold

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