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Atopy and wheeze in children according to parental atopy and family size
Insights
Parental atopy increases wheeze risk in boys and atopy risk in girls. Atopy and wheeze are strongly linked in children, regardless of family size.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Environmental Epidemiology
Background:
- Atopy and wheeze are common childhood conditions with complex etiologies.
- The influence of genetic predisposition, such as parental atopy, and environmental factors like family size, requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between childhood atopy and wheeze.
- To examine the impact of parental atopy and family size on these conditions in children.
Main Methods:
- A study population of children with a history of wheezing was selected from an urban general practice.
- Children, their first-degree relatives, and a control group underwent assessment for atopic status.
- Atopy was defined as more than one positive immediate skin prick test response.
Main Results:
- Wheeze prevalence was 15.5% in boys and 7.6% in girls; atopy prevalence was 19.7% in boys and 8.1% in girls.
- Parental atopy was linked to increased wheeze in boys (27.5% vs. 12.0%) and increased atopy in girls (18.9% vs. 6.1%).
- A strong association was found between atopy and wheeze in both sexes; family size did not significantly affect prevalence.
Conclusions:
- Parental atopy is a significant risk factor for wheeze in boys and atopy in girls.
- Atopy and wheeze are closely associated in children, independent of family size.
Abstract:
The relationship between atopy and wheeze was examined in children, together with the possible influence on these conditions of parental atopy and family size. Children with a repeated history of wheezing were selected from an urban general practice population. The children, their first degree relatives, and a control group were examined for atopic status, atopy being defined as more than one positive immediate skin prick test response. The prevalence of wheeze in boys was 15.5%, in girls 7.6%, and of atopy in boys 19.7% and in girls 8.1%. Of 110 atopic children 70% had no atopic parent, 27% had one atopic parent, and in 3% both parents were atopic. The presence of parental atopy was associated with an increased prevalence of wheeze in boys but not in girls, 12.0% of boys having a history of wheezing if neither parent was atopic and 27.5% if either or both parents were atopic (p less than 0.05). The presence of parental atopy was associated with an increased prevalence of atopy in girls but not in boys, 6.1% of girls having atopy if neither parent was atopic and 18.9% if either or both parents were atopic (p less than 0.01). There was a strong association between atopy and wheeze for both sexes and no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of atopy or wheeze in children whether they were from two, three, or four child families.