Indoor factors and IgE levels in children

The objective of the study was to determine indoor characteristics of households in relation to total serum IgE. In a population-based cross-sectional study, 1096 6-12-year-old children were examined in three East German towns (Eisleben, Hettstedt, and Zerbst). Of the questionnaires, 772 (70.4%) were returned by the parents. Serum IgE of 703 children and urinary cotinine in a random subsample of 224 children were analyzed. Linear regression on log(IgE) adjusted for the main covariates was used to assess indoor risk factors such as room size, and the presence of curtains, carpet, and plants in the child's room. Open-heating facilities indoors, passive smoking, and furniture made of chipboard had the most important effect. A higher urinary cotinine/creatinine ratio was associated with higher total IgE level. Total IGE increased also with the number of persons living in the household, independently of indoor smoking. We conclude that indoor air pollution from smoking and open-heating facilities may increase the IgE levels of children. The role of other factors such as chipboard, which could reflect the emission of formaldehyde, or the number of persons per household, which could reflect viral or helminthic infection, remains to be analyzed.