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Published on: August 7, 2017
Determinants of Allergic Sensitization, Asthma and Lung Function: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study in Italian
Gaspare Drago1, Silvia Ruggieri1, Giuseppina Cuttitta1
1National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, 90146 Palermo, Italy.
Insights
Maternal smoking during pregnancy and early respiratory infections significantly increase childhood asthma risk. Early respiratory diseases, influenced by prenatal smoke exposure, strongly impact childhood asthma and lung function, especially in males.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Environmental Health
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Childhood asthma is influenced by prenatal smoke exposure and early respiratory infections.
- Understanding the interplay of individual and environmental factors is crucial for managing pediatric respiratory health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate factors influencing allergic sensitization, asthma, and lung function in children.
- To examine the roles of maternal smoking during pregnancy and early respiratory diseases.
Main Methods:
- A study of 1714 children (aged 7-16) in southern Italy.
- Utilized parental questionnaires, skin prick tests, and spirometry.
- Analyzed risk factors for allergic sensitization, asthma, and lung function.
Main Results:
- 41.0% prevalence of allergic sensitization.
- Maternal smoking during pregnancy and early respiratory diseases were key risk factors for allergic sensitization and asthma.
- Early respiratory diseases significantly impaired lung function (FEF25-75%), particularly in males exposed to maternal smoking.
Conclusions:
- Early respiratory diseases, influenced by prenatal smoke exposure, are critical determinants of childhood asthma and lung function.
- Interventions targeting prenatal smoke exposure and early respiratory infections may mitigate pediatric asthma development.
Abstract:
Prenatal smoking exposure and early-life respiratory infections are major determinants of asthma during childhood. We investigate the factors influencing allergic sensitization (AS), asthma, and lung function in children and the balance between individual and environmental characteristics at different life stages. 1714 children aged 7-16 years and living in southern Italy were investigated using a parental questionnaire, skin prick tests, and spirometry. We found 41.0% AS prevalence: among children without parental history of asthma, male sex, maternal smoking during pregnancy (MatSmoke), and acute respiratory diseases in the first two years of life (ARD2Y) were significant risk factors for AS. MatSmoke was associated (OR = 1.79) with ARD2Y, and this association was influenced by sex. ARD2Y was, in turn, a significant risk factor (OR = 8.53) for childhood current asthma, along with AS (OR up to 3.03) and rhinoconjuctivitis (OR = 3.59). Forced mid-expiratory flow (FEF25-75%) was negatively affected by ARD2Y, with a sex-related effect. Thus, males exposed to MatSmoke had significantly lower FEF25-75% than unexposed males. Despite the difficulty of discriminating among the complex interactions underlying the development of allergic respiratory diseases, ARD2Y appears to strongly influence both asthma and lung function during childhood. In turn, ARD2Y is influenced by prenatal exposure to tobacco smoke with a sex-dependent effect.
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