title: Association between maternal allergic rhinitis and asthma on the prevalence of atopic disease in offspring.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Asthma is a common co-morbidity of allergic rhinitis (AR). The prevalence of these two allergic diseases has increased in China and has been shown to cluster in families independently. This study evaluated the association between maternal AR (presenting with or without asthma) and the allergic conditions in offspring.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women (n = 592) diagnosed with AR were recruited for this study; 379 patients presented with AR and 213 presented with both AR and asthma. Total serum IgE levels and nasal eosinophil counts were analyzed and correlated with disease presentation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of allergic conditions in offspring of mothers diagnosed with AR and asthma was significantly higher than the prevalence observed in children born to mothers presenting with AR only. Maternal total serum IgE and eosinophil counts were predictive of atopy in offspring. Children born to mothers presenting with persistent moderate-to-severe AR had the highest risk of developing atopic conditions (OR 6.26, 95% CI 3.26-12.02). Maternal age of 25-30 years at delivery was also associated with a higher risk for the allergic disease in offspring compared to maternal age of 36-40 (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.31-3.47).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The severity of maternal AR, asthma co-morbidity, elevated serum IgE levels and nasal eosinophilia were all associated with an increased risk of offspring developing allergic conditions. Children born to older mothers were protected against developing atopic disease.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing, PR China.
authors: Qiu-Ping
authors: QP
authors: Wang
authors: Kun-Min
authors: KM
authors: Wu
authors: Ze-Qing
authors: ZQ
authors: Li
authors: Fei
authors: F
authors: Xue
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Chen
authors: Han
authors: H
authors: Ji
authors: Bing-Ling
authors: BL
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents; D002681:China; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D009035:Mothers; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007073:Immunoglobulin E