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Published on: August 7, 2017
The association between prenatal F2-isoprostanes and child wheeze/asthma and modification by maternal race
Margaret A Adgent1, Tebeb Gebretsadik2, Cordelia R Elaiho3
1Department of Health Policy, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
Insights
Prenatal oxidative stress, measured by maternal urinary F2-isoprostanes, may be linked to childhood wheeze and asthma, particularly in White children. Further research is needed to explore these racial differences and underlying mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
- Reproductive Health
Background:
- Childhood respiratory illnesses like wheeze, asthma, and allergic rhinitis are prevalent and may originate prenatally.
- The link between prenatal oxidative stress and childhood respiratory/atopic diseases is not well understood.
- Oxidative stress is implicated in respiratory diseases, but its prenatal impact on childhood outcomes needs investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between prenatal oxidative stress, indicated by maternal urinary F2-isoprostanes, and respiratory outcomes in children.
- To explore potential modifications of this association by maternal race.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study of 2 mother-child cohorts (717 Black, 363 White mothers).
- Maternal urinary F2-isoprostanes measured in the second trimester.
- Child respiratory outcomes (asthma, wheeze, allergic rhinitis) assessed via parent report at age 4.
- Multivariable logistic regression used to analyze associations, controlling for confounders and examining race as an interaction term.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of childhood asthma and allergic rhinitis was 14% and 24%, respectively.
- Prenatal F2-isoprostane levels were associated with childhood asthma and wheeze, with significant modification by maternal race.
- The association was strongest for current wheeze in White children (aOR 1.55) compared to Black children (aOR 0.98).
- No association was found between prenatal F2-isoprostanes and allergic rhinitis.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal urinary F2-isoprostanes may serve as a biomarker for childhood wheeze/asthma in specific populations.
- Racial disparities exist in the association between prenatal oxidative stress and childhood respiratory outcomes.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms driving these racial differences.
Background:
Childhood wheeze, asthma, and allergic rhinitis are common and likely have prenatal origins. Oxidative stress is associated with respiratory disease, but the association of oxidative stress during the prenatal period with development of respiratory and atopic disease in childhood, particularly beyond the infancy period, is unknown. This study aims to investigate associations between prenatal oxidative stress, measured by maternal urinary F2-isoprostanes, and child respiratory outcomes, including effect modification by maternal race.
Methods:
We prospectively studied Black (n = 717) and White (n = 363) mother-child dyads. We measured F2-isoprostanes in 2nd-trimester urine (ng/mg-creatinine). At approximately age 4, we obtained parent report of provider-diagnosed asthma (ever), current wheeze, current asthma (diagnosis, symptoms and/or medication), and current allergic rhinitis (current defined as previous 12 months). We used multivariable logistic regression to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) per interquartile range (IQR) increase in F2-isoprostane concentration, controlling for confounders. We examined modification by maternal race using interaction terms.
Results:
The prevalence of provider-diagnosed asthma and current wheeze, asthma and allergic rhinitis was 14%, 19%, 15%, and 24%, respectively. Median (IQR) F2-isoprostane levels were 2.1 (1.6, 2.9) ng/mg-creatinine. Associations between prenatal F2-isoprostanes and provider-diagnosed asthma, current wheeze, and current asthma were modified by maternal race. Results were strongest for current wheeze (aOR [95%CI]: 1.55 [1.16, 2.06] for White; 0.98 [0.78, 1.22] for Black; p-interaction = 0.01). We observed no association between F2-isoprostanes and allergic rhinitis.
Conclusion:
Prenatal urinary F2-isoprostanes may be a marker associated with childhood wheeze/asthma in certain populations. Research is needed to understand underlying mechanisms and racial differences.
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