title: Study on the prevention of allergy in Children in Europe (SPACE): allergic sensitization in children at 1 year of age in a controlled trial of allergen avoidance from birth.
abstract: Several studies have demonstrated that early intervention may modulate the natural course of atopic disease. Our objective was to prevent sensitization to house-dust mite and food allergens, as well as the development of atopic symptoms during infancy, by the combination of an educational package and the use of mite allergen-impermeable mattress encasings. A multicentre European, population-based, randomized, controlled study of children at increased atopic risk [Study on the Prevention of Allergy in Children in Europe (SPACE)] was performed in five countries (Austria, Germany, Greece, the UK, and Lithuania), and included three cohorts - schoolchildren, toddlers, and newborns. We report on the newborn cohort. A total of 696 newborns were included from Austria, the UK, and Germany. Inclusion criteria were: a positive history of parental allergy; and a positive skin-prick test or specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) (IgE > or = 1.43 kU/L) against at least one out of a panel of common aeroallergens in one or both parents. At 1 year of age, the overall sensitization rate against the tested allergens [dust-mite allergens: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae (Der p and Der f)] and food allergens (egg, milk) in the prophylactic group was 6.21% vs. 10.67% in the control group. The prevalence of sensitization against Der p was 1.86% in the prophylactic group vs. 5% in the control group. In conclusion, we were able to demonstrate, in a group of newborns at risk for atopic diseases, that the sensitization rate to a panel of aero- and food allergens could be effectively decreased through the use of impermeable mattress encasings and the implementation of easy-to-perform preventive measures.
authors.affiliation: University Children's Hospital, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Halmerbauer
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gartner
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schier
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Arshad
authors.forename: Tara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dean
authors.forename: Dieter Y
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Koller
authors.forename: Wilfried
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Karmaus
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kuehr
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Forster
authors.forename: Radvan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Urbanek
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Frischer
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D000918:Antibody Specificity / Q000276:immunology; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005430:Floors and Floorcoverings; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007114:Immunization; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D015994:Incidence; D007229:Infant Welfare; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011446:Prospective Studies; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D007073:Immunoglobulin E