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The temporal sequence of allergic sensitization and onset of infantile eczema
Author(s) -
Lowe A. J.,
Abramson M. J.,
Hosking C. S.,
Carlin J. B.,
Bennett C. M.,
Dharmage S. C.,
Hill D. J.
Publication year - 2007
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/j.1365-2222.2007.02691.x
Subject(s) - sensitization , medicine , atopy , allergy , hazard ratio , immunology , asymptomatic , hay fever , house dust mite , confidence interval , dermatology , family history , pediatrics , allergen
Summary Background Eczema is commonly associated with sensitization in infants, but the causative role of sensitization in the development of eczema has been questioned. Objective To determine if allergic sensitization increases the risk of developing eczema, or alternatively, if eczema increases the risk of developing allergic sensitization. Methods We used data from the Melbourne Atopy Cohort Study, a prospective birth cohort of 552 infants with a family history of atopic disease. The main outcomes were risk of developing eczema from 6 months to 7 years of age in asymptomatic infants; and risk of developing sensitization, as measured by skin prick tests to milk, egg white, peanut, house dust mite, rye grass pollen and cat extracts, in previously unsensitized infants. Results Sensitization to food extracts at 6 months was associated with an increased risk of developing eczema [hazard ratio (HR) 1.63, 95% confidence interval 1.13–2.35] up to 7 years of age, after excluding infants with eczema in the first 6 months. However, eczema in the first 6 months was also associated with increased risk of new sensitization at both 1 year (HR 2.34, 1.38–3.98) and 2 years (HR 3.47, 1.65–7.32). Conclusion In some infants, sensitization precedes and predicts the development of eczema, while in others eczema precedes and predicts the development of sensitization. This indicates that there are multiple pathways to atopic eczema.