Maternal food allergy is associated with daughters’ menarche in early adolescence

Abstract

Abstract Rationale Associations between allergic disease and puberty amongst females have been widely studied. However, this association has received less attention in multigenerational populations. To this end, we sought to examine maternal allergic disease status ever, and daughters’ menarche. Methods In a cohort of children born in 1995, in Manitoba, Canada, we considered maternal allergic disease ever to daughters’ age 7–8 years, and daughters’ menarche at ages 12–14 years. We included all participants for whom we had information on both the exposure and the outcome of those eligible. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression, with adjustment for confounding variables. Results Overall, the prevalences of maternal allergic diseases were 28.6% for asthma 18.8% for food allergy, 27.3% for eczema and 45.5% for rhinitis. By age 12–14 years, 41.6% (64/159) girls had reached menarche. Maternal food allergy was significantly associated with daughters’ menarche (OR 4.39, 95% CI 1.51–12.73), whereas no association was found for maternal asthma, eczema or rhinitis. With consideration to comorbid disease, a combination of maternal asthma + food allergy was associated with daughters’ menarche by age 12–14 years (OR 6.41; 95% CI 1.32–31.01). Conclusions Maternal food allergy ever is associated with daughters’ menarche by age 12–14 years.