Abstract
Background: The association between birthweight and asthma, eczema and rhinoconjunctivitis is conflicting. Aims: To examine the association between birthweight and symptoms of asthma, eczema and rhinoconjunctivitis. Methods: Parents or guardians of children aged 6-7 yr completed written questionnaires about symptoms of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema, and several risk factors, including birthweight. Results: There were 162,324 children from 60 centres in 26 countries. Low birthweight (<2.5 kg) was associated with an increased risk of symptoms of asthma (current wheeze odds ratio = 1.20; 95% confidence interval = 1.12-1.30). Low birthweight was associated with a lower risk of eczema ever. Low birthweight was not associated with rhinoconjunctivitis. Large babies (birthweight ≥4.5 kg) were not associated with any of these outcomes. Conclusions: This study has confirmed that low birthweight is a risk factor for symptoms of asthma, but not for rhinoconjunctivitis. The findings for eczema are equivocal.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 264-270 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Pediatric Allergy and Immunology |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 May 2014 |
Keywords
- Asthma
- Eczema
- ISAAC
- Low birthweight
- Rhinoconjunctivitis
- Risk factors