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Published on: August 7, 2017
Effect of exposure to fine particulate matter during pregnancy and infancy on paediatric allergic rhinitis
Yu-Ting Lin1, Hao Shih2, Chau-Ren Jung3,4
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Insights
Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) during pregnancy and early life is linked to allergic rhinitis (AR) development. The critical window appears to be late gestation through the first year of life.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Allergy
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The impact of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure on allergic rhinitis (AR) development is not well understood.
- Identifying vulnerable periods for AR onset is crucial for preventative strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between prenatal and early postnatal PM2.5 exposure and the incidence of AR.
- To determine critical exposure windows for AR development.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a large birth cohort of 140,911 infants in Taiwan.
- Employed a satellite-based hybrid model for high-resolution PM2.5 exposure assessment.
- Evaluated exposure from 30 gestational weeks to 52 weeks post-birth.
Main Results:
- Over 33% of children developed incident AR.
- A significant association was found between PM2.5 exposure (IQR 17.98 µg/m³) and AR onset.
- Positive exposure-response relationship observed for PM2.5 levels between 26-76 µg/m³.
Conclusions:
- Both prenatal and postnatal PM2.5 exposure are linked to later AR development.
- The vulnerable period for PM2.5 exposure appears to be late gestation and the first year of life.
- Further research is needed to confirm specific vulnerable time windows.
Background:
The effect of prenatal and postnatal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on the development of allergic rhinitis (AR) is poorly understood. We further identified the vulnerable period for AR development to determine methods to decrease adverse effects.
Methods:
We used a large population-based birth cohort of 140 911 singleton live infants in Taichung, Taiwan with a highly temporal-resolution satellite-based hybrid model to evaluate the effects of prenatal and early postnatal exposure on the onset of AR.
Results:
Among 140 911 children, 47 276 (33.55%) were cases of incident AR. The mean age of the children with AR at initial diagnosis was 2.97±1.78 years. We identified a significant association of AR with an interquartile range (IQR 17.98 µg/m3) increase in PM2.5 from 30 gestational weeks to 52 weeks after birth. The exposure-response relationship revealed that AR had a significant positive association between PM2.5 of 26-76 µg/m3 (adjusted hazard ratios ranged from 1.00 to 1.05).
Conclusion:
Our study provides evidence that both prenatal and postnatal exposures to PM2.5 are associated with later development of AR. The vulnerable time window may be within late gestation and the first year of life. Further study is required to confirm the vulnerable time period of PM2.5 on AR.
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