The decreasing prevalence of nonallergic respiratory symptoms, along with improvements in ambient particle mass and sulfur dioxide (but not in nucleation-mode particles), indicates the reversibility of adverse health effects in children. This adds further evidence of a causal association between combustion-related air pollutants and childhood respiratory symptoms.

Dietary fat consumption is hypothesized to influence atopy development by modulation of IgE production. The aim of our study was to assess whether margarine consumption is associated with allergic sensitization and diseases in children. Data of a cross-sectional health survey in 1998-1999 comprising 2,348 children age 5 to 14 yr were analyzed. Information on type of fat used as spread during the past 12 mo, children's health, and sociodemographic factors were gathered by questionnaire. Allergic sensitization to common aeroallergens was assessed by specific serum IgE. Compared with butter consumption, margarine consumption was associated with allergic sensitization (adjusted odds ratio 1.30 [95% confidence interval: 1.01 to 1.67]) and with rhinitis symptoms during the past 12 mo (1.41 [1.01 to 1.97]). Sex-stratified analysis showed that these associations were limited to boys (boys: sensitization 1.57 [1.12 to 2.20], rhinitis symptoms 1.76 [1.12 to 2.78]; girls: sensitization 0.99 [0.67 to 1.46], rhinitis symptoms 1.03 [0.63 to 1.70]). No statistically significant relation was observed between exclusive margarine consumption and ever physician-diagnosed hay fever or asthma in all children. In conclusion, the sex difference in the association of margarine consumption with allergic sensitization was in accordance with the higher IgE concentrations and atopy prevalence in boys compared with girls. Increased intake of certain polyunsaturated fatty acids might further stimulate IgE production in boys.

Several regional cross-sectional studies have shown a consistently higher prevalence of respiratory disorders in children with exposure to total suspended particulates (TSP) than in children living in less polluted areas. The aim of the present study was to investigate the temporal changes in the prevalence of nonasthmatic respiratory symptoms and diseases in children living in three areas of East Germany during a phase of strong improvement in ambient air quality. Groups of 2,470 and 2,814 school children between 5 and 14 yr, respectively, participated in two regional cross-sectional studies in 1992-1993 and 1995-1996. In the three areas (Hettstedt, Bitterfeld, and Zerbst) examined in the study, the annual mean TSP decreased from 65, 48, and 44 microg/m(3), respectively, in 1993 to 43, 39, and 36 microg/m(3) in 1995. In the same time interval, the crude prevalence of bronchitis in the three respective areas decreased from 62%, 52%, and 50% to 47%, 40%, and 39%. During the 3-yr period between the two regional studies, prevalence decreased significantly for bronchitis (odds ratio [OR]: 0.55; confidence interval [CI]: 0.49 to 0.62), for otitis media (OR: 0.83; CI: 0.73 to 0.96), for frequent colds (OR: 0.74; CI: 0.64 to 0.86), and for febrile infections (OR: 0.76; CI: 0.66 to 0.88) after adjustment for several potential predictors. In conclusion, we found that the prevalence of nonasthmatic respiratory symptoms decreased from the first period to the second period in all three study areas.

Trends in prevalence of atopic diseases and allergic sensitization in children from Eastern Germany during the 1990s were analysed.The study consisted of three regional cross-sectional surveys of a total of 7,632 children (aged 5-14 yrs) in 1992-1993, 1995-1996, and 1998-1999. Information was gathered on atopic diseases and potential predictors by a parental questionnaire. Allergic sensitization for birch, grass, mite, cat, and cladosporium were assessed by radioallergosorbent test (RAST).After adjustment for age, sex and the study area of the participants, prevalence increased between the first and third survey for hay fever, for asthma and for atopic eczema. The adjusted prevalence of allergic sensitization (RASTw0.35 kU?L -1 ) showed a decrease, whereas the prevalence of strong sensitization (RAST o17.5 kU?L -1 ) increased significantly, specifically in cohorts born after 1989. Further adjustment for possible determinants of these atopic diseases did not change the trend estimates.A clear increase in the prevalence of atopic diseases, with the exception of hay fever, was observed as well as a shift towards a stronger allergic sensitization, which might affect the onset of clinical manifestations of atopic diseases.Differences in the epidemiology of respiratory symptoms, illnesses and allergies between populations living in the former East Germany and those living in the former West Germany have been reported. Among East German children, lower prevalence rates of asthma, and positive skin-prick tests were observed compared to West German children in the early 1990s [1][2][3][4][5]. Similarly, among East German adults, lower specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E levels and lower prevalence rates of asthma, wheezing, positive methacholine-challenge tests, allergic rhinitis, and positive skin-prick tests have been reported compared to those of West German adults [6,7].

This cross-sectional epidemiological study collected health data for 2,470 school children between 5 and 14 yeas of age (89% of elgible children) who had lived most of their lives in either one oftwo counties trongly impacted by industrial pollution (Bitterfeld and Hettstedt) or in a neighborng county without any sources of industrial pollution (Zerbst). The objective of the study was to eimine whether regional diffierences-with