Prolonged breastfeeding and delayed introduction of whole cow's milk into the diet are factors associated with egg sensitization: a matched case-control study

BACKGROUND: Both breastfeeding and the moment at which introduction to solid food occurs have been associated with food allergy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether prolonged breastfeeding and the delayed introduction of whole cow's milk into an infant's diet are factors that can be associated with egg sensitization. METHODS: This was a hospital-based case-control study, matched by age and sex: each study group comprised 97 atopic children. Additionally, logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with egg protein sensitization. RESULTS: The most common type of allergic disease among both groups was allergic rhinitis. After adjusting for possible confounding variables, a delayed introduction to whole cow's milk decreased the odds of egg protein sensitization; OR = 0.16 (95% CI: 0.07-0.36, p < 0.0001). Notably, breastfeeding during the first six months of life, regardless of whether it was the only milk an infant drank, increased the risk for sensitization to chicken eggs; OR = 5.54 (95% CI: 2.41-12.7, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Prolonged breastfeeding, regardless of whether it was the only milk an infant drank, greatly increased the risk of egg sensitization. Interestingly, a delayed introduction to whole cow's milk was associated with a reduced possibility of becoming sensitized to eggs. Further studies are required to elucidate these findings

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Prolonged breastfeeding and delayed introduction of whole cow's milk into the diet are factors associated with egg sensitization: A matched case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Both breastfeeding and the moment at which introduction to solid food occurs have been associated with food allergy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether prolonged breastfeeding and the delayed introduction of whole cow's milk into an infant's diet are factors that can be associated with egg sensitization. METHODS: This was a hospital-based case-control study, matched by age and sex: each study group comprised 97 atopic children. Additionally, logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with egg protein sensitization. RESULTS: The most common type of allergic disease among both groups was allergic rhinitis. After adjusting for possible confounding variables, a delayed introduction to whole cow's milk decreased the odds of egg protein sensitization; OR=0.16 (95% CI: 0.07-0.36, p<0.0001). Notably, breastfeeding during the first six months of life, regardless of whether it was the only milk an infant drank, increased the risk for sensitization to chicken eggs; OR=5.54 (95% CI: 2.41-12.7, p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Prolonged breastfeeding, regardless of whether it was the only milk an infant drank, greatly increased the risk of egg sensitization. Interestingly, a delayed introduction to whole cow's milk was associated with a reduced possibility of becoming sensitized to eggs. Further studies are required to elucidate these findings.

Prevalence of oral allergy syndrome in children with allergic diseases

INTRODUCTION: The oral allergy syndrome (OAS) is a particular type of food allergy rarely explored in the paediatric population that is already considered an adult problem. OBJECTIVE: Identify the prevalence of OAS, symptoms and pollen species associated with its presence in children affected by allergic diseases. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Consecutive sampling included children from 6 to 14 years who needed allergy treatment for the first time. A structured questionnaire was carried out to collect demographic and clinical data and history of OAS. Besides sensitisation to various allergens, the skin prick-by-prick test was performed to corroborate sensitisation to food related to OAS. Prevalence of OAS and its association with pollens was established following the covariate adjusted logistic regression. RESULTS: 267 subjects were included. Overall prevalence of OAS was 8.9% (95%CI 6.1-13.1%). Prevalence of OAS for allergic rhinitis and asthma were 8.8% and 9.1%, respectively. In patients sensitised to pollen, the prevalence ranged from 9.6% to 12.2% depending on the type of pollen. 62.5% of children with OAS were sensitive to pineapple. After adjusting for gender and family history of atopic disease, trees from the Quercus species showed an association with OAS (OR=2.7, 95%CI 1.2-6.2). CONCLUSIONS: OAS is not uncommon in our environment. Pineapple, a typical fruit from the region, was the main food related. Quercus sp., but not birch nor olive, was the pollen associated with this syndrome

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Prevalence and factors associated to peanut allergy in Mexican school children

BACKGROUND: In our country, the prevalence and the factors associated to peanut allergy are unknown, a health problem that has been emerging worldwide. OBJECTIVE: To establish the prevalence and the factors that are associated to peanut allergy amongst school children. METHODS: This is a population-based cross-sectional study. We included 756 children aged 6-7 years. The children's parents were questioned about their peanut intake habits. A structured questionnaire was applied, it included questions regarding peanut intake; family and personal history of asthma; rhinitis; and atopic dermatitis. Allergic reactions to peanuts were registered as: probable, convincing and systematic. The statistical analyses included logistical regression models to look for associated factors. RESULTS: Males were 356/756 (47.1%). Peanut allergy prevalence: probable reaction: 14/756 (1.8%), convincing reaction: 8/756 (1.1%) and systemic reaction: 3/756 (0.4%). Through multivariate analysis, the presence of symptoms of allergic rhinitis (OR = 4.2 95% CI 1.3-13.2) and atopic dermatitis (OR = 5.2; 95% CI 1.4-19.5) during the previous year, showed significant association to probable peanut reaction. The former year, the presence of atopic dermatitis was the only variable that was substantially associated to a convincing reaction (OR = 7.5; 95% CI 1.4-38.4) and to a systematic reaction (OR = 45.1; 95% CI 4.0-510.0), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The reported prevalence of peanut allergy was consistent with that found in previous studies; symptoms of allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis were identified as associated factors to peanut allergy

No disponible

Prevalence of oral allergy syndrome in children with allergic diseases.

INTRODUCTION: The oral allergy syndrome (OAS) is a particular type of food allergy rarely explored in the paediatric population that is already considered an adult problem. OBJECTIVE: Identify the prevalence of OAS, symptoms and pollen species associated with its presence in children affected by allergic diseases. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Consecutive sampling included children from 6 to 14 years who needed allergy treatment for the first time. A structured questionnaire was carried out to collect demographic and clinical data and history of OAS. Besides sensitisation to various allergens, the skin prick-by-prick test was performed to corroborate sensitisation to food related to OAS. Prevalence of OAS and its association with pollens was established following the covariate adjusted logistic regression. RESULTS: 267 subjects were included. Overall prevalence of OAS was 8.9% (95%CI 6.1-13.1%). Prevalence of OAS for allergic rhinitis and asthma were 8.8% and 9.1%, respectively. In patients sensitised to pollen, the prevalence ranged from 9.6% to 12.2% depending on the type of pollen. 62.5% of children with OAS were sensitive to pineapple. After adjusting for gender and family history of atopic disease, trees from the Quercus species showed an association with OAS (OR=2.7, 95%CI 1.2-6.2). CONCLUSIONS: OAS is not uncommon in our environment. Pineapple, a typical fruit from the region, was the main food related. Quercus sp., but not birch nor olive, was the pollen associated with this syndrome.

Prevalence and factors associated to peanut allergy in Mexican school children.

BACKGROUND: In our country, the prevalence and the factors associated to peanut allergy are unknown, a health problem that has been emerging worldwide. OBJECTIVE: To establish the prevalence and the factors that are associated to peanut allergy amongst school children. METHODS: This is a population-based cross-sectional study. We included 756 children aged 6-7 years. The children's parents were questioned about their peanut intake habits. A structured questionnaire was applied, it included questions regarding peanut intake; family and personal history of asthma; rhinitis; and atopic dermatitis. Allergic reactions to peanuts were registered as: probable, convincing and systematic. The statistical analyses included logistical regression models to look for associated factors. RESULTS: Males were 356/756 (47.1%). Peanut allergy prevalence: probable reaction: 14/756 (1.8%), convincing reaction: 8/756 (1.1%) and systemic reaction: 3/756 (0.4%). Through multivariate analysis, the presence of symptoms of allergic rhinitis (OR=4.2 95% CI 1.3-13.2) and atopic dermatitis (OR=5.2; 95% CI 1.4-19.5) during the previous year, showed significant association to probable peanut reaction. The former year, the presence of atopic dermatitis was the only variable that was substantially associated to a convincing reaction (OR=7.5; 95% CI 1.4-38.4) and to a systematic reaction (OR=45.1; 95% CI 4.0-510.0), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The reported prevalence of peanut allergy was consistent with that found in previous studies; symptoms of allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis were identified as associated factors to peanut allergy.