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Associations of atopic dermatitis and asthma with child behaviour: Results from the PROBIT cohort
Author(s) -
Ballardini Natalia,
Kramer Michael S.,
Oken Emily,
Henderson Alexander John,
Bogdanovich Natalia,
Dahhou Mourad,
Patel Rita,
Thompson Jennifer,
Vilchuck Konstantin,
Yang Seungmi,
Martin Richard M.,
Flohr Carsten
Publication year - 2019
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.13417
Subject(s) - asthma , medicine , atopic dermatitis , pediatrics , cohort , breastfeeding , cohort study , strengths and difficulties questionnaire , allergy , psychiatry , mental health , immunology
Background Conflicting findings from studies evaluating associations of allergic disease with child behaviour require longitudinal studies to resolve. Objective To estimate the magnitude of associations of atopic dermatitis (AD) in infancy, and symptoms of asthma and AD at 6.5 years, with child behaviour at 6.5 years. Methods Secondary cohort analysis of the Promotion of Breastfeeding Intervention Trial (PROBIT). PROBIT enrolled 17 046 infants at birth and followed them up at 6.5 years (n = 13 889). Study paediatricians collected data on infantile AD at repeated follow‐up examinations during the first year of life. At 6.5 years, paediatricians performed skin prick tests and parents reported asthma and AD symptoms during the prior year. In addition, parents and teachers completed the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire, which includes scales on hyperactivity/inattention, emotional problems, conduct problems, peer problems and prosocial behaviours. Results Physician‐diagnosed AD in the first year of life was not associated with increased risk for behavioural problems at 6.5 years. Emotional problems at 6.5 years were more common among children with AD symptoms (OR: 2.24, 95% CI: 1.62‐3.12) and asthma symptoms (OR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.07‐1.96) during the past year at 6.5 years and ORs for children with symptoms of more severe AD and asthma were also higher. AD in the past year was also associated with probable hyperactivity/inattention disorder at 6.5 years (OR: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.09‐3.84). Other subscales of the SDQ were not related to asthma or AD symptoms during the past year. Conclusions and clinical relevance Children with AD symptoms were at higher risk for concomitant hyperactivity/inattention and emotional disorder, and children with asthma symptoms were at higher risk of having concomitant emotional problems. However, AD during infancy did not predict childhood behaviours.