Immunization and symptoms of atopic disease in children: results from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood.
OBJECTIVE
This study tested the hypothesis that immunization is related to the prevalence of atopic disease in childhood.


METHODS
We used data from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood to perform an ecologic analysis of national and local immunization rates for tuberculosis, diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis (DTP), and measles and prevalence of atopic disease symptoms (asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, and atopic eczema).


RESULTS
In 13- to 14-year-old children, there were significant negative associations with local birth-year immunization rates for DTP and measles but none with rates for tuberculosis. No associations were found in 6- to 7-year-old children. No associations with national immunization rates were found.


CONCLUSIONS
International variations in childhood atopic diseases are unlikely to be explained by variations in immunization.
Anderson
H R
HR
Department of Public Health Sciences, St. George's Hospital Medical School, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE UK. r.anderson@sghms.ac.uk
Poloniecki
J D
JD
Strachan
D P
DP
Beasley
R
R
Björkstén
B
B
Asher
M I
MI
D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D004168:Diphtheria Toxoid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004485:Eczema / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D016018:Least-Squares Analysis; D008458:Measles Vaccine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010567:Pertussis Vaccine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D001500:BCG Vaccine; D004168:Diphtheria Toxoid; D008458:Measles Vaccine; D010567:Pertussis Vaccine; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid