title: [Risk factors for allergic diseases in children aged 0-24 months in the Wuhu urban area, Anhui Province, China].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the prevalence of allergic diseases in children aged 0-24 months in the Wuhu urban area of Anhui Province and risk factors for allergic diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cluster random sampling was performed to select 600 children aged 0-24 months and their mothers from the Wuhu urban area, and a questionnaire survey was conducted to collect the data of disease history, family history, mothers' conditions during pregnancy, and child-rearing situation. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed for such data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 597 children included in the analysis, 56 (9.4%) were diagnosed with allergic diseases in the past. The univariate analysis showed that the age, use of antipyretic and analgesic drugs, a history of allergy in the father or grandparents, and the consumption of fish, shrimps, crabs, and shellfish during pregnancy were significantly associated with past allergic diseases (P<0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the age and a history of allergy in the father or grandparents were positively associated with past allergic diseases (OR=4.0-4.9, 2.7, and 2.4 respectively; P<0.05), while frequent consumption of fish, shrimps, crabs, and shellfish during pregnancy was negatively associated with past allergic diseases (OR=0.3; P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A family history of allergy is an independent risk factor for allergic diseases in children aged 0-24 months in the Wuhu urban area of Anhui Province, while frequent consumption of fish, shrimps, crabs, and shellfish during pregnancy is a protective factor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Health Care, Wuhu Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, China. wsgwh@126.com.
authors.forename: Shou-Gui
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xiang-Sheng
authors.initials: XS
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yan-Fang
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Xi-Tao
authors.initials: XT
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wan
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors