Allergy in day care children: prevalence and environmental risk factors.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prevalence of atopic disease among Finnish day care children and the relationship between atopy and environmental factors.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study of 594 day care children aged 1-6 years from Helsinki, Finland. Each child's history of atopic diseases and environmental exposure was collected in a questionnaire completed by the parents.


RESULTS
The prevalence of diagnosed asthma was 0.9% for the 1-3-year olds and 5.5% for the 4-6-year olds, atopic eczema/dermatis was 16% in both groups, and allergic rhinitis 5% in the younger group, 9% in the older group. According to multivariable logistic regression models, breastfeeding (exclusive > or =4 months or partial > or =6 months) reduced the risk of atopic diseases (OR = 0.60; CI(95) 0.39-0.93, p = 0.021). Atopic diseases were more common in the oldest age group, 5-6-year olds, compared to the youngest, 1-2-year olds (OR = 2.18; CI(95) 1.14-4.15, p = 0.018). One parent with atopic disease increased the child's risk (OR = 1.89; CI(95) 1.20-2.97, p = 0.006), more so if both parents had a history (OR = 3.17; CI(95) 1.48-6.78, p = 0.003).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results support the hypothesis that breastfeeding for at least six months may protect against atopic diseases. The child's greater age (5-6 years) and parental history of atopic diseases increased the risk of atopy.
Hatakka
Katja
K
Valio R&D, Helsinki, Finland.
Piirainen
Laura
L
Pohjavuori
Sara
S
Poussa
Tuija
T
Savilahti
Erkki
E
Korpela
Riitta
R
D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002656:Child Day Care Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004777:Environment; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007223:Infant; D016015:Logistic Models; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D014505:Urban Population
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution