title: Effect of endotoxin and allergens on neonatal lung function and infancy respiratory symptoms and eczema.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Exposure to endotoxin and allergens in house dust has been found to be associated with childhood wheeze and asthma. Neonatal lung function is rarely examined in relation to this exposure.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the association between exposure to endotoxin, house dust mite and cat allergens and neonatal lung function, and respiratory symptoms and eczema in infancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the Wheezing Illnesses Study Leidsche Rijn (WHISTLER) birth cohort study, levels of endotoxin, house dust mite allergens, and cat allergen have been measured in dust samples collected in the child's home. Lung function was measured before age 2 months, and respiratory symptoms and eczema were recorded in a daily diary during the first year of life. Associations of lung function (N = 302), respiratory symptoms (N = 361), and eczema (N = 342) with endotoxin and allergen levels have been studied by means of linear and logistic regression, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mattress dust endotoxin was associated with a significant increase in neonatal respiratory compliance [adjusted mean difference (95% confidence interval) 2.31 (0.33; 4.29) ml/kPa per interquartile range increase in exposure] and a non-significant decrease in neonatal airway resistance [0.32 (-0.77; 0.14) kPa/l/s]. There were no associations between allergen exposure and neonatal lung function and respiratory symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Environmental exposure to endotoxin may have an important role in the development of lung function.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Abbing-Karahagopian
authors.forename: Anne C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: van der Gugten
authors.forename: Cornelis K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: van der Ent
authors.forename: Cuno
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Uiterwaal
authors.forename: Madelon
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Jongh
authors.forename: Marieke
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oldenwening
authors.forename: Bert
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brunekreef
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Gehring
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D001513:Beds; D002415:Cats / Q000276:immunology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004485:Eczema / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D039981:Pyroglyphidae / Q000276:immunology*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D004731:Endotoxins