title: Environmental and demographic risk factors for egg allergy in a population-based study of infants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although egg allergy is the most common food allergy in infants and young children, risk factors for egg allergy remain largely unknown. This study examined the relationship between environmental and demographic factors and egg allergy in a population-based infant cohort.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a study of 5276 infants (HealthNuts), infants underwent skin prick testing (SPT) to egg white at 12 months of age. Questionnaire data on relevant exposures were obtained. 699/873 (80%) infants eligible for oral food challenge (detectable wheal on SPT) attended for formal assessment of egg allergy status; 453 had confirmed egg allergy (positive challenge and SPT ≥ 2 mm). Associations between environmental and demographic factors and egg allergy were investigated using multivariable logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Children with older siblings and those with a pet dog at home were less likely to develop egg allergy by 1 year of age (adjusted OR [aOR], 0.72; 95% CI, 0.62, 0.83 per sibling; and aOR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.52, 0.99, respectively). Caesarean section delivery, antibiotic use in infancy, childcare attendance and maternal age were not associated with egg allergy. History of allergic disease in an immediate family member and having parents born in East Asia were strong risk factors for infantile egg allergy (aOR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.40, 2.36; and aOR, 3.30; 95% CI, 2.45, 4.45, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exposure in the first year of life to siblings and dogs may decrease the risk of subsequent egg allergy. Infants with a family history of allergy and those with parents born in East Asia are at increased risk of egg allergy.
authors.affiliation: Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Vic., Australia.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Koplin
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Dharmage
authors.forename: A-L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Ponsonby
authors.forename: M L K
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Lowe
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Gurrin
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Osborne
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wake
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Allen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D021181:Egg Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D057805:Pets; D012307:Risk Factors