Allergen exposure in infancy and the development of sensitization, wheeze, and asthma at 4 years.
BACKGROUND
The relationship between mite and pet allergen exposure in infancy and the subsequent development of sensitization and asthma is complex.


OBJECTIVE
We prospectively investigated the effect of allergen exposure at 3 months of age on the development of sensitization, wheeze, and physician-diagnosed asthma in the first 4 years of life in a birth cohort of children with and without an atopic mother.


METHODS
Children participated in the Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy study. Allergen exposure at 3 months of age was determined from mattress dust samples. Specific IgE to inhalant allergens was measured at 4 years of age, and information about wheeze and physician-diagnosed asthma was collected with yearly questionnaires.


RESULTS
Mite and cat allergen exposure in infancy were associated with an increased risk of specific sensitization to house dust mite and cat, respectively, at 4 years of age. There were borderline significant associations between cat allergen exposure and persistent wheeze in the total study population and between dog allergen exposure and persistent wheeze in children with a nonatopic mother. In children with an atopic mother, there was some indication of a positive association between mite allergen exposure and physician-diagnosed asthma.


CONCLUSIONS
Early house dust mite and cat allergen exposure might lead to sensitization and, in case of cat allergen exposure, to persistent wheeze. Early mite and dog allergen exposure might lead to asthma and persistent wheeze, respectively, but only in subgroups defined by maternal atopy.
Brussee
Jessica E
JE
Center for Prevention and Health Services Research, National Institute for Public Health and Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
Smit
Henriette A
HA
van Strien
Robert T
RT
Corver
Karen
K
Kerkhof
Marjan
M
Wijga
Alet H
AH
Aalberse
Rob C
RC
Postma
Dirkje
D
Gerritsen
Jorrit
J
Grobbee
Diederick E
DE
de Jongste
Johan C
JC
Brunekreef
Bert
B
D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002415:Cats; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004285:Dogs; D004391:Dust / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008925:Mites; D009426:Netherlands; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000485:Allergens; D004391:Dust; D007073:Immunoglobulin E