Document Detail


Is delivery by cesarean section a risk factor for food allergy?
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  12897751     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: Cesarean delivery might delay the colonization of the newborn intestine. A delayed or aberrant colonization process has been offered as an explanation for the increase in allergic diseases. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine whether cesarean delivery and the use of antibiotics were associated with subsequent food allergy. METHODS: In a population-based birth cohort of 2803 children, information regarding mode of delivery, maternal or infant use of antibiotics, and information on potential confounders was obtained prospectively from parental reports and the Norwegian Birth Registry. Parentally perceived reactions to egg, fish, or nuts, as well as objectively confirmed reactions to egg at the age of 2 1/2 years, were chosen as outcomes. RESULTS: Among children whose mothers were allergic, cesarean section was associated with a 7-fold increased risk of parentally perceived reactions to egg, fish, or nuts (odds ratio, 7.0; CI, 1.8-28; P =.005) and a 4-fold increased risk of confirmed egg allergy (odds ratio, 4.1; CI, 0.9-19; P =.08) in a logistic regression analysis, adjusting for pregnancy complications, birth weight, gestational length, and socioeconomic factors. Among children whose mothers were not allergic, the association was much weaker and not significant. Maternal or infant use of antibiotics was not associated with an increased risk of food allergy. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that in predisposed children cesarean section might increase the risk of development of food allergy, which supports the theory that factors interfering with the colonization process might play a role in the development of food allergy.
Authors:
Merete Eggesbø; Grete Botten; Hein Stigum; Per Nafstad; Per Magnus
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology     Volume:  112     ISSN:  0091-6749     ISO Abbreviation:  J. Allergy Clin. Immunol.     Publication Date:  2003 Aug 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2003-08-04     Completed Date:  2003-09-05     Revised Date:  2004-11-17    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  1275002     Medline TA:  J Allergy Clin Immunol     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  420-6     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
Affiliation:
Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology, Oslo, Norway.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adolescent
Adult
Animals
Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects
Cesarean Section / adverse effects*
Cohort Studies
Eggs / adverse effects
Female
Fishes
Food Hypersensitivity / etiology*,  genetics
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Nuts / adverse effects
Pregnancy
Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
Risk Factors
Seafood / adverse effects
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Anti-Bacterial Agents

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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