Residential Risk Factors for Atopic Dermatitis in 3- to 6-Year Old Children: A Cross-Sectional Study in Shanghai, China

Abstract

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is common among pre-school children in Shanghai. This study aimed to identify the risk factors for childhood AD from the perspectives of home environment, demographics and parents-grandparents’ atopic disease. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Shanghai in April–June, 2010. Preschool children’s parents or guardians were invited to participate a questionnaire survey in six districts (two urban and four suburban/rural) and 6624 children were finally recruited (51.3% boys). AD diagnosis was based on the U.K. Working Party’s (UKWP) criteria. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated by multiple logistic regression. Results: A total of 8.5% of children ever had AD. Around 10.2% of the mothers had lived in newly renovated/decorated homes (NRDH) during the prenatal period (one year before or during pregnancy) and 9.5% got new home furniture (NHF) during the same period. AD was more common in children when mothers had lived in NRDH homes during the prenatal period (AOR = 1.41; 95% CI 1.03–1.93), the current home had indoor mold (2.00, 1.48–2.70), parents-grandparents’ had atopic diseases (3.85, 3.05–4.87), the children had food allergy (3.40, 2.63–4.40) or children lived in urban area (1.52, 1.18–1.96). Associations between AD and NRDH, NHF and indoor molds were only significant in children without parents-grandparents’ atopic diseases. There was an interaction effect between parents-grandparents’ atopic diseases and NRDH (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Home renovation/ redecoration, new furniture and indoor mold, urban residency, heredity disposition and food allergy can be risk factors for childhood AD in Shanghai.

Allergy-related disorders (ARDs) among Ethiopian primary school-aged children: Prevalence and associated risk factors

“…This is probably a result of the small sample size of participants in our study reporting the presence of animals in the household. We also failed to show a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of ARDs between participants in urban versus rural areas, which can be contrasted with previous reports showing that urbanization of an area is associated with increased prevalence of respiratory allergic disease [ 35 , 36 ]. One large scale study of almost 10,000 participants conducted in Mongolia found an increasing rate of sensitization between different levels of urbanization—from 13.6% in villages, 25.3% in rural towns, to 31.0% in the city—giving strong evidence that economic development is directly tied rates of allergic disorders [ 37 ].…”

A systematic review and meta-analysis of risk factors associated with atopic dermatitis in Asia

“…Additionally, home renovation activities including buying new furniture and home painting, and the use of synthetic, modernised flooring and wall materials emit chemicals including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which may trigger AD. 37 , 40 , 41 Further, the influence of indoor factors was reported to begin as early as during pregnancy. For instance, the pooled OR for home renovation during pregnancy was 1.39 (95% CI, 1.26–1.53; I 2 = 0.6%, p = 0.402).…”

Atopic dermatitis in diverse racial and ethnic groups—Variations in epidemiology, genetics, clinical presentation and treatment

“…Use of topical emollients during the neonatal period has been shown to decrease the risk of AD in Japanese infants . Allergy to dust mites, intranatal exposure to a newly renovated or decorated house, and high levels of household mould may play a role in Chinese children and adults . In Taiwan, people born in October through December are more likely to develop AD …”