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Prenatal exposure to persistent organic pollutants and offspring allergic sensitization and lung function at 20 years of age
Author(s) -
Hansen S.,
Strøm M.,
Olsen S. F.,
Dahl R.,
Hoffmann H. J.,
Granström C.,
Rytter D.,
Bech B. H.,
Linneberg A.,
Maslova E.,
Kiviranta H.,
Rantakokko P.,
Halldorsson T. I.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
clinical and experimental allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.462
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1365-2222
pISSN - 0954-7894
DOI - 10.1111/cea.12631
Subject(s) - offspring , medicine , asthma , sensitization , pregnancy , vital capacity , allergy , physiology , lung function , immunology , lung , diffusing capacity , biology , genetics
Summary Background Prenatal exposures to persistent organic pollutants ( POP s) have been associated with asthma medication use and self‐reported symptoms, but associations with lung function and allergic sensitization have been minimally explored. The aim of the study was to examine the associations between prenatal exposures to POP s and allergic sensitization and lung function in 20‐year‐old offspring. Methods In a Danish cohort of 965 pregnant women established in 1988–1989, six polychlorinated biphenyl ( PCB ) congeners, hexachlorobenzene ( HCB ), and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p’‐ DDE ) were quantified in archived maternal serum drawn in gestational week 30 ( n = 872). Among those with available maternal exposure information, at age 20, 421 offspring attended attended a clinical examination including measurements of allergic sensitization (serum‐specific IgE ≥ 0.35 kU A /L) (n = 418) and lung function [forced expiratory volume in one second ( FEV 1 ) and forced vital capacity ( FVC )] (n = 414). Results There were no associations between maternal concentrations of POP s and offspring allergic sensitization at 20 years of age. Maternal concentrations of POP s were, however, positively associated with offspring airway obstruction ( FEV 1 / FVC < 75%). Compared to offspring in the first tertile of exposure, offspring in the third tertile of dioxin‐like PCB exposure had an OR of 2.96 (95% CI : 1.14–7.70). Similar associations for non‐dioxin‐like PCB s, HCB , and p,p’‐ DDE were 2.68 (1.06–6.81), 2.63 (1.07, 6.46), and 2.87 (1.09, 7.57), respectively. No associations were observed with reduced lung function ( FEV 1 % of predicted value < 90%). Conclusion and Clinical Relevance Our data indicate that prenatal exposure to POP s appears to be associated with airway obstruction but not allergic sensitization at 20 years of age. The findings support that chronic obstructive lung diseases may have at least part of their origins in early life.