title: Genetic association between atopy and behavioral symptoms in middle childhood.
abstract: The relationship of atopic and behavioral symptoms in a community sample of 66 monozygotic and 141 dizygotic twin pairs, ages 4-11 years, was investigated via mother report questionnaires. Within-person correlation between atopic symptoms and Child Behavior Checklist internalizing symptoms (CBCL-INT) was .21 (p < .001) for the total sample. Cross-correlations between atopy and CBCL-INT were .26 for monozygotic and .04 for dizygotic twins. A common and specific factor model applied to the data revealed that the cross-correlation between atopy and CBCL-INT was mainly due to genetic influences (77% of the covariance). This study supports the hypothesis that there is a shared genetic risk for atopy and internalizing symptoms.
authors.affiliation: National Jewish Medical and Research Center, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver 80206, USA.
authors.forename: M Z
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Wamboldt
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schmitz
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mrazek
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010290:Parents; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012931:Social Environment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015053:Zygote