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Parental and child factors associated with inhalant and food allergy in a population-based prospective cohort study:
Nicolette W de Jong1, Niels J Elbert2,3, Sara M Mensink-Bout4,5
1Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Allergology, Erasmus Medical Center, Room Gk 323, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. n.w.dejong@erasmusmc.nl.
Insights
Parental history of allergy, eczema, or asthma increases children's risk for inhalant allergies. Childhood eczema is a significant risk factor for both inhalant and food allergies, particularly to peanuts and cashews.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Epidemiology of Allergic Diseases
- Genetics of Allergic Conditions
Background:
- The prevalence of allergic diseases in children is increasing globally.
- Early-life factors significantly influence the development of allergies.
- Understanding risk factors is crucial for prevention and early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of allergic sensitization and physician-diagnosed allergies in Dutch children at age 10.
- To examine the association between parental history of allergy, eczema, or asthma and child allergy development.
- To identify child-specific characteristics, such as eczema and asthma, associated with allergic diseases.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, population-based cohort study of 5471 Dutch children from fetal life onwards.
- Allergic sensitization assessed via skin prick tests.
- Physician-diagnosed allergies and parental/child characteristics collected through questionnaires.
Main Results:
- At age 10, 32.2% had inhalant sensitization, 7.1% food sensitization, 12.4% physician-diagnosed inhalant allergy, and 2.3% physician-diagnosed food allergy.
- Parental history of allergy, eczema, or asthma was linked to higher risks of physician-diagnosed inhalant allergy, but not food allergy.
- Childhood eczema (ever) was a strong predictor for physician-diagnosed inhalant allergy and food allergy, especially to peanuts and cashews.
Conclusions:
- Parental allergic history significantly impacts inhalant allergy risk in children.
- Childhood eczema is a critical risk factor for developing both inhalant and food allergies.
- These findings highlight the importance of family history and early-life eczema in predicting childhood allergies.
Abstract:
The prevalence of allergic diseases in children is markedly increasing to epidemic proportions. The aim of this study is to describe the presence and examine associated parental and child characteristics of allergic sensitization and physician-diagnosed allergy in Dutch children at age 10 years. This study among 5471 children was performed in a population-based prospective cohort from fetal life onwards. Allergic sensitization was measured by skin prick tests. Physician-diagnosed allergy and parental and child characteristics were collected by questionnaires. In children aged 10 years, inhalant and food allergic sensitization was present in 32.2% and 7.1%, and physician-diagnosed inhalant and food allergy in 12.4% and 2.3%. Maternal and paternal history of allergy, eczema or asthma was associated with increased risks of physician-diagnosed inhalant allergy (aOR (95% CI) 1.44 (1.23-1.70) and 1.59 (1.30-1.94), respectively), but not with food allergy. Asthma and eczema ever at age 10 years were associated with increased risks of physician-diagnosed inhalant allergy (4.60 (3.55-5.96) and 2.42 (1.94-3.03), respectively). Eczema ever at age 10 years was associated with an increased risk of physician-diagnosed food allergy (5.78, 3.04-9.52), with the highest risk of cashew (7.36, 3.20-16.94) and peanut (5.58, 3.08-10.10) food allergy.Conclusions: We found strong effects of parental history of allergy, eczema or asthma on the presence of physician-diagnosed inhalant allergy in children at age 10 years. Eczema ever at age 10 years was a strong risk factor for the development of physician-diagnosed inhalant and food allergy. What is Known: • The prevalence of allergic diseases in children has markedly increased. • Early-life influences are critically important in the development of allergic diseases. What is New: • Maternal and paternal history of allergy, eczema or asthma is associated with increased risks of physician-diagnosed inhalant allergy but not with food allergy. • Eczema ever at age 10 years is associated with an increased risk of physician-diagnosed food allergy, with the highest risk for cashew and peanut food allergy.
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