The association between pre- and postnatal tobacco smoke exposure and allergic sensitization during early childhood. Multicentre Allergy Study Group, Germany.

OBJECTIVE

of our study was to investigate the effect of pre- and postnatal passive tobacco smoke exposure on the incidence of allergic sensitization.

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, pre- and postnatally exposed children had a significantly higher risk for sensitization to food allergens compared to children never exposed to tobacco smoke (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1-4.2; P = 0.02). With respect to inhalant allergens no significant influence of tobacco smoke exposure on specific sensitization could be demonstrated.

CONCLUSIONS

During early childhood both pre- and postnatal tobacco smoke exposure has an adjuvant effect on allergic sensitization to food allergens.