title: Environmental risk factors for respiratory infections.
abstract: In this study, the authors investigated the possible relationship between environmental-including dietary-factors and respiratory and ear infections in children. A sample of 304 children, aged 4-5 y, in Geneva, Switzerland, was studied. Mothers filled out a questionnaire that the authors provided. The questionnaire included items on food frequency, infections, and background factors (e.g., education, housing conditions, parents' smoking habits). Allergy was a risk factor for all infections, and mother's age was a protective factor. Humid conditions at home was a significant risk factor for cold, sore throat, and otitis (odds ratios = 2.71, 3.03, and 2.77, respectively); mold in the home was a significant risk factor for otitis (odds ratio = 2.80); and attending day-care centers was a significant risk factor for cold and bronchitis (odds ratios = 1.36 and 1.89, respectively). Dietary factors were not related to disease risk nor were environmental tobacco smoke or housing conditions generally related to an increased risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rylander
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mégevand
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology