The association between preand postnatal tobacco smoke exposure and allergic sensitization during early childhood

Abstract

Aim of our study was to investigate the effect of preand postnatal passive tobacco smoke exposure on the incidence of allergic sensitization. Patients and methods Specific sensitization to food, outdoor and indoor allergens was determined in 342 children at the age of 1, 2 and 3 years. Parents were asked about their smoking habit at the birth of their children, at 18 months and 3 years of age. Results Multivariate regression analysis indicated, that during the first 3 years of life, preand postnatally exposed children had a significantly higher risk for sensitization to food allergens compared to children never exposed to tobacco smoke exposure on specific sensitization could bedemonstrated. Conclusion During early childhood both preand postnatal tobacco smoke exposure has an adjuvant effect on allergic sensitization to food allergens.