title: Perinatal risk factors for sensitization, atopic dermatitis and wheezing during the first year of life (PIPO study).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the influence of perinatal environmental factors on early sensitization, atopic dermatitis and wheezing during the first year.
  
  
  METHODS
  Information on pregnancy-related factors, parental atopic history, environmental factors and the clinical course of the infant until age one was gathered by questionnaires, as part of a prospective birth cohort study (Prospective study on the Influence of Perinatal factors on the Occurrence of asthma and allergies [PIPO-study]). Quantification of total and specific IgE was performed in 810 children and their parents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Early sensitization was found in 107/810 (13%) of the infants. Multiple regression analysis showed that specific IgE in fathers was a risk factor for early sensitization in their daughters (adjusted odds ratios (OR(adj)) 2.21 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10-4.49); P=0.03), whereas in boys, day care attendance was shown to be protective for early sensitization (OR(adj) 0.38 (95% CI 0.20-0.71); P=0.001). Atopic dermatitis occurred in 195/792 infants (25%). Specific IgE in the mother (OR(adj) 1.52 (95% CI 1.06-2.19); P=0.02) and in the infant (OR(adj) 4.20 (95% CI 2.63-6.68); P<0.001) were both risk factors for the occurence of atopic dermatitis, whereas postnatal exposure to cats was negatively associated with atopic dermatitis (OR(adj) 0.68 (0.47-0.97); P=0.03). Postnatal exposure to cigarette smoke (OR(adj) 3.31 (95% CI 1.79-6.09); P<0.001) and day care attendance (OR(adj) 1.96 (95% CI 1.18-3.23); P=0.009) were significantly associated with early wheezing, which occurred in 25% (197/795) of the infants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The effect of paternal sensitization and day care attendance on sensitization is gender dependent. Maternal sensitization predisposes for atopic dermatitis, whereas postnatal exposure to cats had a protective effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Hagendorens
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Bridts
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lauwers
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: van Nuijs
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Ebo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vellinga
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: De Clerck
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Van Bever
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Weyler
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Stevens
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic / Q000276:immunology; D002415:Cats; D002656:Child Day Care Centers; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D004285:Dogs; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D011247:Pregnancy; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E