title: Conception via in vitro fertilization and delivery by Caesarean section are associated with paediatric asthma incidence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The association between perinatal factors and asthma inception is under rigorous investigation. Nevertheless, evidence of a correlation between asthma, conception via in vitro fertilization (IVF) and delivery through Caesarean section (C-section) is inconclusive.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to assess the relation of asthma incidence with IVF and C-section, after controlling for several potential confounding factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Parent-reported wheeze in the last 12 months (current), wheeze ever, physician-diagnosed asthma, method of conception, and type of delivery were recorded from questionnaires filled in by the parents of 2016 Greek children aged 9-13, (the Healthy Growth Study population). Some perinatal data were recorded from children's medical records and others were reported by parents; anthropometric measurements were also conducted in children.
  
  
  RESULTS
  IVF was correlated with physician-diagnosed asthma (OR = 2.25; 95% CI = 1.11-4.56), but not with current/ever wheeze after adjustment for potential confounding factors. After adjustment, C-section was also associated with asthma (OR = 1.39; 95% CI = 1.04-1.87), but not with current/ever wheeze. When the association of both IVF and C-section with asthma was examined in the same multivariate logistic regression model, it was weakened to borderline significance (OR = 2.04; 95% CI = 1-4.15 and OR = 1.34; 95% CI = 1-1.81 respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Conception via IVF and delivery by C-section may predispose children to future asthma development. Either variable could also exert a confounding effect on the link of the other to asthma; this may partially be accountable for inconsistencies in the findings of pertinent studies.
authors: Allergy Department, 2nd Pediatric Clinic, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors: G V
authors: GV
authors: Guibas
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Moschonis
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Xepapadaki
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Roumpedaki
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Androutsos
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Manios
authors: N G
authors: NG
authors: Papadopoulos
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012135:Respiratory Sounds; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: asthma; cesarean section; epidemiology; preadolescents; wheeze