Prevalence and Risk Factors of Allergic Diseases in Preschool Children from Industrial and Rural Region of Slovak Republic
Authors:
A. Hlavatá 1; P. Čižnár 1; Ľ. Palkovičová 2; K. Rausová 2; M. Ursínyová 2; T. Hlavatý 3; E. Reichrtová 2; M. Benedeková 1; O. Červeňová 1
Authors‘ workplace:
I. detská klinika LFUK a DFNsP, Bratislava
prednostka doc. MUDr. O. Červeňová, CSc.
1; Vedecko-výskumná základňa Slovenskej zdravotníckej univerzity, Bratislava
riaditeľ MUDr. J. Kazár, DrSc.
2; 5. interná klinika LFUK a FNsP, Bratislava
prednosta prof. MUDr. J. Payer, CSc.
3
Published in:
Čes-slov Pediat 2008; 63 (12): 668-676.
Category:
Original Papers
Overview
Introduction:
Various studies revealed different prevalence of allergic diseases in industrial and rural regions. Objective of this study was to measure the prevalence of allergic diseases in a cohort of preschool children from industrial and rural region of Slovak Republic and to investigate the influence of regional factors on the development and manifestation of allergy.
Methods:
The study population consisted of 226 children from two regions of Slovak Republic – industrial Bratislava (n=86) and rural Snina (n=140). Children were followed-up from birth within a large epidemiological study. Children were clinically examined every year and their parents were interviewed with questionnaires focusing on exposure to risk and protective factors of allergy. Children were classified as allergic if they had ever been diagnosed as having asthma or eczema or allergic rhinitis. At the age of five the prevalence of allergic diseases in the cohort was measured and statistical analysis of risk factors between allergic and non-allergic children was performed.
Results:
The prevalence of allergic diseases in 5-years old children was 17.7%. There was statistically significant difference in the overall prevalence of allergic diseases between the region of Bratislava and Snina (24.4% vs. 13.6%; p<0.05). Farm animals were raised significantly more frequent in the families of children from Snina as compared with Bratislava. Allergic children of the whole cohort and in both regions individually had less contact with farm animals as non-allergic. Multivariate logistic analyses identified three independent risk factors of allergic disease: contact with farm animals (OR=0.8; 95% KI= 0.09–0.97), family history of allergy of first degree relatives (OR=2.5; 95% KI=1.25–5.0) and introduction of cow milk before the age of 4 months (p=0.03; OR=1.11; 95% KI=1.0–1.25).
Conclusion:
Contact with farm animals was protective for the development of allergic diseases in children at the age of five years. It could explain different prevalence of allergic diseases between industrial and rural region.
Key words:
allergy, asthma, eczema, rhinitis, risk factors, pets, farm animals, breast feeding, family history, Bratislava, Snina
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Neonatology Paediatrics General practitioner for children and adolescentsArticle was published in
Czech-Slovak Pediatrics
2008 Issue 12
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