Placebo-controlled trial of house dust mite-impermeable mattress covers: effect on symptoms in early childhood.
We investigated the effect of house dust mite (HDM)-allergen avoidance on the development of respiratory symptoms, atopic dermatitis, and atopic sensitization by performing a double blind, placebo-controlled trial. In total, 1,282 allergic pregnant women were selected (416 received HDM allergen-impermeable mattress covers for the parents' and child's mattress in the third trimester of pregnancy [active], 394 received placebo covers, 472 received no intervention). Data on allergen exposure, clinical symptoms, and immunoglobulin E were collected prospectively. The prevalence of night cough without a cold in the second year of life was lower in the group with active covers compared with the group with placebo covers (adjusted odds ratio 0.65; 95% confidence interval 0.4-1.0). No effect of the intervention was seen on other respiratory symptoms, atopic dermatitis, and total and specific immunoglobulin E. It can be concluded that application of HDM-impermeable mattress covers on the child's and parents' beds reduced night cough, but not other respiratory symptoms, atopic dermatitis, and atopic sensitization in the first 2 years of life. Follow-up will determine the long-term effect of the intervention on the development of atopic disease.
Koopman
Laurens P
LP
Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus University Medical Center/Sophia Children's Hospital, 3000 CB Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
van Strien
Rob T
RT
Kerkhof
Marjan
M
Wijga
Alet
A
Smit
Henriette A
HA
de Jongste
Johan C
JC
Gerritsen
Jorrit
J
Aalberse
Rob C
RC
Brunekreef
Bert
B
Neijens
Herman J
HJ
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001512:Bedding and Linens; D001513:Beds; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004391:Dust / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008925:Mites; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013983:Tick Control
D004391:Dust