title: Influence of maternal and cord blood C-reactive protein on childhood respiratory symptoms and eczema.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inflammatory processes during pregnancy might affect fetal lung development and immune responses. We examined the associations of maternal and cord blood C-reactive protein levels with respiratory symptoms and eczema in preschool children.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was embedded in a population-based prospective cohort study of 4984 children. Generalized estimating equations were used to assess the effect of C-reactive protein levels on respiratory symptoms or eczema. C-reactive protein levels were measured during early pregnancy and at birth. Wheezing, lower respiratory tract infections, and eczema until the age of 4 yr were annually obtained by questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Maternal C-reactive protein was not associated with the risks of wheezing and lower respiratory tract infections. Compared to children with maternal C-reactive protein in the lowest quarter, children in the highest quarter had increased risks of eczema OR 1.20 (1.03, 1.40). Compared to children with cord blood C-reactive protein lower than 0.20 mg/l, those with levels higher than 0.20 mg/l had increased risks of wheezing, OR 1.21 (1.07, 1.36), and lower respiratory tract infections, OR 1.21 (1.05, 1.39), but not of eczema.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that elevated maternal C-reactive protein in pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of eczema, and C-reactive protein in cord blood with a higher risk of wheezing and lower respiratory tract infections in the first 4 yrs.
authors.affiliation: The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Agnes M M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sonnenschein-van der Voort
authors.forename: Vincent W V
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Jaddoe
authors.forename: Henriëtte A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Moll
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hofman
authors.forename: Ralf J P
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: van der Valk
authors.forename: Johan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: de Jongste
authors.forename: Liesbeth
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Duijts
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004485:Eczema / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007112:Immunity, Maternally-Acquired; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000276:immunology*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D012306:Risk; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: asthma; cohort study; eczema; respiratory infections; wheezing