Abstract
Aim:
To longitudinally describe the relation between indoor and lifestyle factors and the subsequent development of specific IgE to inhalant-allergens.
Methods:
Coughing children, aged 1–5, were tested for IgE-antibodies to mite, dog and cat by RAST. All children with all RASTs <0.2 IU/ml were retested after 30 months. The results of the second RAST were dichotomized in IgE-positive (RAST 0.5 IU/ml) or IgEnegative. The parents completed questionnaires during the first and second RAST. The results of the second RAST were compared to items on smoking by the parents, pets at home, breastfeeding, siblings, floor covering, moulds and dampness. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for becoming IgE-positive in relation to lifestyle and environmental factors were calculated.
Results:
After 2 years, 33 of 317 originally IgE-negative children had become IgE-positive (22/169 boys, 11/148 girls). Associated with a decreased risk of allergy was having (had) pets at home (OR= 0.38; 95% CI= 0.18–0.80). Associated with an increased risk of allergy was a non-Dutch nationality (OR= 4.76; 95% CI= 2.04–11.12). The associations between the development of allergy and smoking during pregnancy, during the first year of life or smoking of the father as well as having pets during the first year of life, breastfeeding, smooth vs non-smooth floor covering in living or bedroom, exposure to moulds or damp ranged between 0.75 and 1.75 and were not statistically significant at p= 0.05.
Discussion:
Our data indicate that children who have (had) pets at home are less likely to develop specific IgE to inhalants than children who never had pets. Having a non-Dutch nationality is a risk factor for becoming IgE-positive.
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Eysink, P., Bindels, P., ter Riet, G. et al. Environmental and lifestyle risk factors for developing specific IgE to inhalants in young children. Prim Care Respir J 11, 60 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/pcrj.2002.40
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/pcrj.2002.40