Season of birth as predictor of atopic manifestations

The relation between month of birth, sensitisation, and manifestations of atopy was assessed in 209 children who were followed from birth to 12-15 years. Children born during the tree pollen season were less likely to develop allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, IgE antibodies to pollen, or a positive screening test for IgE antibodies (odds ratio 0.28, 0.41, 0.35, respectively) than children born during the rest of the year. The prevalence of IgE antibodies to food and animal dander at 9 months and to atopic disease was higher in children born in the autumn and winter, that is, September to February, compared to the spring and summer (egg 20% v 6%; milk 10% v 2%). Thus sensitisation to pollen and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis is least common in children born in the spring, while birth in September to February is associated with an increased incidence of sensitisation to food and of atopic disease.     

Influence of month of birth on house dust mite allergy

We determined the birth month of a sample of 208 patients with bronchial asthma or rhinitis and positive skin test to house dust mite. The majority of patients were born in the summer and autumn months. The increased incidence of house dust mite allergy in patients born in the months of July to September, when house dust mites are most abundant, corresponds to a relative risk of 1.43. It is important that exposure to house dust mites in early childhood is kept to a minimum as exposure to allergens may influence the development of allergic disease in later life.     

出生季节与婴儿早期动作发育的相关性研究

目的研究婴儿出生季节与动作发育的关系。方法将4000例足月、顺产、健康,3、6、9个月龄的婴儿作为研究对象,运用0~6岁儿童智能发育测验与访谈法进行研究。结果1.随婴儿出生季节不同,3、6、9个月龄婴儿的动作发育均有显著差异,表现出不同的季节效应。2.气温与婴儿的动作发育存在密切的联系,表现出气温效应,季节效应主要来源于气温效应。结论气温与婴儿的动作发育存在密切联系,夏季可促使婴儿的动作发育,季节性气温变化是造成季节效应的主要来源。     

Allergic manifestations in very low-birthweight infants: a 6-year follow-up

The incidence of allergic manifestations was evaluated from birth until 6 y of age in 83 very low-birthweight infants (VLBWIs). In the same period 98 full-term babies were followed from birth to 24 mo of life. All the subjects were examined by paediatricians to establish the presence of atopic dermatitis (AD), gastrointestinal disturbances (GD) and asthma (AS). The incidence of total allergic manifestations (31.3%) in VLBWIs was significantly lower than that (52%) in 24-mo-old infants, born at full term. The incidence of allergies in VLBWIs did not differ at all at the subsequent checks, up to 6y of age. AD (33.7%) was the most common symptom, statistically higher in full-term infants than in VLBWIs (7.2%). GD had a similar distribution (8.2% in full-term infants vs 7.2% in VLBWIs). AS (16.8%) was significantly higher in VLBWIs than in those born full term (10.2%). In the various VLBWI subgroups analysed, AD was more prevalent in babies weighing >1000 g and in babies >30 wk of age; the incidence of GD was higher in infants weighing <1000g and in SGA infants, and AS was more prevalent in infants weighing <1000g, in infants <30 wk of age and in babies appropriate for gestational age. A family history of allergy was related to a major incidence of allergies.     

Allergic manifestations in very low-birthweight infants: a 6-year follow-up

The incidence of allergic manifestations was evaluated from birth until 6 y of age in 83 very low-birthweight infants (VLBWIs). In the same period 98 full-term babies were followed from birth to 24 mo of life. All the subjects were examined by paediatricians to establish the presence of atopic dermatitis (AD), gastrointestinal disturbances (GD) and asthma (AS). The incidence of total allergic manifestations (31.3%) in VLBWIs was significantly lower than that (52%) in 24-mo-old infants, born at full term. The incidence of allergies in VLBWIs did not differ at all at the subsequent checks, up to 6 y of age. AD (33.7%) was the most common symptom, statistically higher in full-term infants than in VLBWIs (7.2%). GD had a similar distribution (8.2% in full-term infants vs 7.2% in VLBWIs). AS (16.8%) was significantly higher in VLBWIs than in those born full term (10.2%). In the various VLBWI subgroups analysed, AD was more prevalent in babies weighing >1000 g and in babies >30 wk of age; the incidence of GD was higher in infants weighing <1000 g and in SGA infants, and AS was more prevalent in infants weighing <1000 g, in infants <30 wk of age and in babies appropriate for gestational age. A family history of allergy was related to a major incidence of allergies.     

Genetic and environmental factors affecting the development of atopy through age 4 in children of atopic parents: a prospective randomized study of food allergen avoidance

The effect of food allergen avoidance, as well as other environmental and genetic factors, on the development of atopy were determined in this follow-up report of a prospective randomized controlled study of 288 infants of atopic parents, in which 78% were available for evaluation at age 4 years. The prophylactictreated group consisted of mothers who avoided cow milk. egg. and peanut during the last trimester of pregnancy and lactation and of infants who avoided cow milk until 1 year (casein hydrolysate supplementation prior to 1 year) and egg, peanut, and fish until after 2 years. The control group consisted of maternal/infant pairs who followed standard feeding practices. The cumulative prevalence of food allergy and food sensitization remained lower in the prophylactic treated group from 1 to 4 years of age. However, the period (current) prevalence of food allergy in both study groups was similar (about 5%) at 3 and 4 years. Such findings suggest that period prevalence may represent the more appropriate measure to assess the impact of intervention measures on the development of atopic disease at older ages. Prophylactic-treated children evidenced lower levels of IgG beta lacloglobulin (BLG) at 4 months and I and 2 years (p < 0.0001) and lower IgG ovalbumen/ovomucoid (OVA) levels only at 2 years (p < 0.001). Both groups evidenced similar prevalences of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and positive inhalant skin tests from birth to 4 years. Children with food allergy evidenced higher 4 year cumulative prevalences of allergic rhinitis and asthma (p < 0.05). Risk factors for atopic disease by age 4 years were shown by multivariate analysis (p < 0.05) to include (1) unrestricted diet and elevated cord blood IgE with food allergy, (2) male gender and lower paternal level of education with asthma, and (3) non-caucasian ethnicity and spring/summer birth with atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis. Serum IgE levels were not significantly different between groups at 3 and 4 years, despite their being a trend towards lower serum IgE levels in the prophylactic-treated group at 4 months (p < 0.07). In the control group, formula feeding prior to 4 months was associated with higher 4 month serum IgE levels (p < 0.05). Stepwise linear regression revealed that serum IgE variability from birth to 4 years was influenced by male gender, non-caucasian ethnicity, maternal and paternal serum IgE levels, 4 month IgG BLG levels, positive food and inhalant skin tests, and the development of atopic dermatitis, food allergy, asthma, and allergic rhinitis. These findings demonstrate the strength of genetic factors and their modulation by dietary and envi-ronmental influences in the development of atopy and reveal that the reduction in food allergy in infancy by maternal/infant food allergen avoidance fails to affect respiratory allergy development from birth to 4 years.     

早产儿出生时维生素D水平及影响因素分析

目的分析早产儿出生时维生素D水平及其可能影响因素。方法采集600例早产儿出生24 h内静脉血,检测血清25-羟基维生素D[25(OH)D]水平,并分析早产儿性别、出生体重、出生季节、胎龄,以及母亲的年龄、职业、早孕期体重指数(BMI)、分娩方式及妊娠期并发症等对血清25(OH)D水平的影响。结果早产儿维生素D缺乏、不足、充足的比例分别为42.0%、38.7%和19.3%。夏、秋季出生的早产儿血清25(OH)D水平显著高于冬季(P0.05),维生素D缺乏的发生率显著低于春、冬季(P0.003)。与母亲年龄≥30岁者比较,年龄30岁母亲所生早产儿血清25(OH)D水平显著降低(P0.05),维生素D缺乏的发生率显著增高(P0.017)。与母亲肥胖者比较,超重或体重正常母亲所生早产儿血清25(OH)D水平显著增高(P0.05),维生素D缺乏的发生率显著降低(P0.006)。母亲妊娠合并子癎前期者,其早产儿血清25(OH)D水平显著低于无子癎前期者(P0.05),维生素D缺乏的发生率显著高于无子癎前期者(P0.017)。多因素分析结果显示,冬春季出生、母亲年龄30岁及早孕期BMI≥28 kg/m2为早产儿维生素D缺乏的危险因素(P0.05)。结论早产儿维生素D缺乏发生率较高,有维生素D缺乏高危因素的早产儿生后需尽早补充维生素D。     

Bone measurements of infants in the first 3 months of life by quantitative ultrasound: the influence of gestational age, season, and postnatal age

Background: There are a few quantitative ultrasound (QUS) studies of bone status for Chinese children. Objective: To evaluate the clinical application and to investigate the bone status of neonates and young infants with QUS. Materials and methods: An ultrasound bone sonometer was used to measure the bone speed of sound (SOS) of the tibia in 542 neonates within 3 months of birth. Results: At birth, no significant difference of SOS was found between boys and girls, but there was a significant difference of SOS between premature infants and full-term infants. The SOS in neonates born during spring and summer was significantly lower than those born during autumn and winter. There were significant correlations between SOS and gestational age, and between bone SOS and birth weight in appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants. Multiple regression analysis found that gestational age and infant birth season were two important factors influencing SOS. During the first 3 months, there was no significant difference in SOS between sexes. The SOS of infants showed an inverse correlation with postnatal age, and the decrease of bone SOS with age in premature infants was more marked than in full-term infants. Conclusions: QUS is suitable for evaluating bone status in infants with high precision. The study offers some basic data for neonates and young infants.     

The development of atopic sensitization in Estonian infants

In a prospective study, 251 infants were followed from birth up to 12 months of age, recording manifestations of allergy by questionnaires at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months and by clinical examinations at 6 and/or 12 months. Blood samples were obtained at birth and at 6 and 12 months and analysed for serum lgE levels. The children were skin-prick tested with foods at 6 and 12 months of age and with inhalant allergens at 12 months. Blood samples from SPT-positive individuals and controls were analysed for the presence of IgE antibodies to common inhalant allergens and their cord sera for the presence of IgE antibodies to cow's milk and egg. Twelve infants (7%) were sensitized against foods [3 to cow's milk (CM) and 9 to egg white (EW)] at 6 months and 11 (5%) (2 to CM and 9 to EW) at 12 months. Seventeen infants (7%) had IgE antibodies against inhalant allergens at 6 and/or 12 months, as determined by either SPT and/or the demonstration of circulating IgE antibodies. Out of 30 children with positive SPT and/or circulating IgE antibodies against foods and inhalant allergens at any age, 6 had atopic dermatitis, 4 gastrointestinal food allergy, 1 urticaria and 4 probable allergy, while 15 had no clinical manifestation of allergy. Immunoglobulin E antibodies against Ascaris were detected in 17% of the infants with S-IgE levels >20kU/l. The study indicates that the incidence of sensitization and manifestations of allergic disease is similar among Estonian and Scandinavian infants during the first year of life. Given earlier findings indicating a significantly higher prevalence of atopic disease in Scandinavian school-children relative to their counterparts in Eastern Europe, the present study suggests that the key events which determine disease expression do not occur exclusively during the first year of life.     

Cord blood IgE levels are influenced by gestational age but do not predict allergic manifestations in infants

The predictive value of cord blood IgE (clgE) for atopy and related disorders was investigated. Samples were collected from 792 infants delivered consecutively at the National University Hospital in Reykjavik in 1987. The concentration of IgE, but not that of IgA, was found to increase with increasing gestational age at birth. There was no correlation between IgE and IgA levels in individual samples. At the age of 18–23 months 180 of these children were studied for manifestations of allergy and related disorders. Included were all available infants with detectable (≥ 23 kU/L) clgE. However, infants born by Cesarean section or with IgA exceeding 10 mg/L were excluded because of potential contamination with maternal blood. The clinical evaluation was made without knowledge of the IgE levels. Sixty-six of the 180 participants (36.6%) were judged to have had definite allergic manifestations. However, no striking correlation was found between allergic symptoms and cIgE levels in this study, nor did high levels of IgE add significantly to the predictive value of family history. Children with atopic features had more frequently been affected by otitis media. Unexpectedly, infants with intermediate cIgE levels (0.2–0.6 kU/L) were significantly less affected by otitis media than children with unmeasurable (< 0.2 kU/L) or high (≥ 0.7 kU/L) cIgE levels. It is concluded that cord blood IgE can not be used to predict allergic manifestations in children under the age of 2 years.     

Influence of measles vaccination on the progression of atopic dermatitis in infants

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease, affecting 10-20% of children. Measles vaccination has been reported to have contradictory effects on incidence of AD in children. Therefore, we performed the first prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to analyze the evolution of AD in infants after measles vaccination. The study included 12 infants (10-14 months old) with AD, randomly assigned to two groups: while the first group received a single dose of a standard measles vaccine ROUVAX, the second was treated with placebo (vehicle). Infants were followed-up for 6 months after administration of ROUVAX/placebo for the clinical signs associated with AD, by determination of SCORAD index. In addition, serum was taken before vaccination and 1 month later to determine the presence of seroconversion and to analyze the progression of serum levels of CCL18 (PARC) and E-selectin, known to be distinct serum markers that reflect clinical features of AD. In the vaccinated group, five of six children seroconverted 1 month after treatment and one infant showed a 50% improvement of SCORAD. Serum levels of CCL18 were significantly decreased in two treated infants (of four analyzed for this group) and E-selectin slightly decreased in one infant (of three analyzed by this test). In placebo-treated group the SCORAD improved in one patient and serum levels of CCL18 and E-selectin did not change. These data suggest that measles vaccination not only does not aggravate AD, but may also improve some of the immunological parameters of this allergic disease. Inclusion of a higher number of patients in a similar study should give a more comprehensive overview of the benefit of measles vaccination on the clinical evolution of AD patients, and potentially open new avenues to the clinical application of the anti-inflammatory effect of measles virus proteins.     

Exposure to a high concentration of mite allergen in early infancy is a risk factor for developing atopic dermatitis: A 3-year follow-up study

The cause of allergy is multi-factorial, and the development of an allergic disease seems to be the result of an interaction between genetic and environmental factors. The goal for preventing the development of allergic diseases is to avoid sensitization to allergens. The aim of this work was to study whether or not exposure to environmental allergens early in infancy would influence the occurence of various allergic diseases in later life. On an annual basis, a total of 931 healthy newborns were followed-up until they reached 3 years of age. The occurence of allergic diseases was recorded by trained medical students during visits. Measurement of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p 1) concentration in house dust was performed when each baby was 18 and 36 months old. Total and specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies against Der p 1, cow's milk, and egg white were evaluated at birth and at 18 months of age. The following results were obtained: at 3 years of age, 10.4% had bronchial asthma (BA), 21.4% atopic dermatitis (AD), 7.0% urticaria, and 46.8% had experienced wheezing; higher family allergy scores led to a higher incidence of AD (p=0.0012); exposure to a mite allergen concentration of 1 µg/g of dust may be associated with a higher incidence of AD (p=0.0156); the presence of Der p 1 IgE antibody at 18 months of age was associated with a higher incidence of BA (p=0.0001); and children sensitized to egg whites at 18 months of age had an increased risk of developing AD at 3 years of age (p=0.0187). Hence, early exposure to mite allergen is a risk factor for the development of atopic dermatitis, but seems not to be related to the development of bronchial asthma. Early sensitization to egg whites increases the risk of developing AD. The early detection of serum Der p 1 IgE antibody is associated with a higher incidence of bronchial asthma.     

Correlation between serum immunoglobulin A concentrations and allergic manifestations in infants.

We studied the relationship of serum levels of IgA and IgE to allergic manifestations and otitis media in a cohort of 179 Icelandic children, aged 18 to 23 months. Only one of the infants had IgA deficiency (less than 50 micrograms/ml); all the others had IgA levels that were normal for their age. The children were divided into three groups according to their IgA levels (lowest 25%, intermediate 50%, highest 25%) and the clinical findings analyzed accordingly. The cumulative incidence of definite allergic manifestations was 37%. Asthma and otitis media were significantly more common among the infants with low normal IgA levels than among those with intermediate to high IgA levels. There was also a significant association between the severity of allergic manifestations and low IgA levels (p = 0.002). Children with detectable IgE (greater than or equal to 0.23 kilounit/L) had a higher incidence of atopic manifestations than did children in whom IgE was not detectable, but only a weak correlation was found between the occurrence and extent of allergic symptoms and increasing amounts of IgE beyond the 0.23 kilounit/L level. These findings suggest that atopic manifestations in infants may be more dependent on delayed maturation of IgA production than on overproduction of IgE.     

Intraparturn and Neonatal Mortality in a Traditional Indigenous Community in Rural Guatemala

ABSTRACT. We identified high rates of intrapartum and neonatal mortality among children born in a traditional indigenous comm. unity in rural Guatemala. To examine the potential association of maternal characteristics and obstetric and newborn care practices with this mortality, we conducted a retrospective case–control study. Cases were infants born in 1986 and 1987 who died during birth or in the first month of life, as identified by civil records; for each case, the next child born who survived the first month of life was selected as control. In interviews with mothers of cases and controls standardized data were collected on demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the mother, her general obstetric history, history of the pregnancy, labor, and delivery, condition and care of the infant at birth, and morbidity and treatments of the infant after birth. Sixty-one cases and their controls were included in the study. Based on clinical condition at birth, we subcategorized cases into infants stillborn or dying in the first 24 hours of life (intrapartum cases) and those dying in the first month after day 1 (neonatal cases). Factors significantly associated with both subcategories of cases were maternal illiteracy, primagravity, failure to use "modern" prenatal care, and inter-birth interval < 14 months. Intramuscular injection of oxytocin by the midwife during labor, and performance of ≥ 3 vaginal examinations by the midwife were each significantly associated only with the intrapartum subcategory of cases. Mother's estimate of infant size as "smaller than normal" was associated with neonatal, but not with intrapartum, cases. Reported clinical features of cases suggested birth asphyxia and/or trauma to be predominant among intrapartum cases, and sepsis to be the most common cause of neonatal mortality after day 1.     

Several genetic and environmental factors influence cord blood IgE concentration

Cord blood samples were collected from a birth cohort of 2631 infants to elucidate the association between genetic and environmental factors and fetal production of IgE. The cord blood IgE values were treated both as a continuous and as a dichotomous variable in the statistical analyses. Multivariate analysis was used to control for confounding factors. Infants with single and biparental atopic heritage had higher IgE concentrations in cord plasma than children of parents without atopy. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association to maternal allergic eczema or perennial rhinitis. The cord blood IgE concentration varied with month of birth with peaks in late autumn. This seasonal variation was not related to parental atopic disease. Boys had significantly higher levels of IgE and more often elevated IgE values (≥0.5 kU/1) than girls. Alcohol and caffeine consumption by the mothers during pregnancy were both significantly associated with elevated IgE concentration. There was also a relation between mothers prepregnant weight and elevated CB-IgE levels. No significant association was observed between maternal smoking and cord plasma IgE levels. The fact that many factors presumably not related to child allergy seem to influence the regulation of fetal IgE production, could explain the questionable value of cord blood IgE in predicting allergy in childhood.     

Seasonal variation of birth month and breastfeeding in children with diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE: As breastfeeding is suggested to protect against diabetes mellitus we decided to investigate whether the seasonal variation of month of birth of diabetic children, with more diabetes in children born in summer, can be explained to some extent by a seasonal variation of exclusive breastfeeding. PATIENTS: A population-based group of 297 children who had been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus before the age of 15 years was compared with 792 matched healthy subjects. RESULTS: There was no difference in duration of breast-feeding between children who later got diabetes and the controls. Children (both diabetics and controls) born during the summer were exclusively breastfed for a mean period of 2.2 months. Corresponding figures for children born during winter were 2.8 months (p<0.04), spring 2.5 months (n.s.) and autumn 2.7 months (p<0.05). Seasonality was most pronounced in children who developed diabetes between the ages of 10 and 15 years. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that children born during the summer, who have increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus, have also been exclusively breastfed for a shorter time.     

Maternal employment in child-care institutions and the risk of infant wheeze and atopic dermatitis in the offspring

It has been proposed that exposure to infections and microbes protects against atopic diseases, but epidemiological data has so far been conflicting. We hypothesized that maternal exposure to infections and microbes before or during pregnancy would be of particular importance. To test this hypothesis, we studied the incidence of wheezing and atopic dermatitis (AD) in infants of mothers employed in child-care institutions – and thus presumably being highly exposed to infections and microbes – compared with infants of mothers not so employed. A total of 31471 mother-child pairs enroled in the Danish National Birth Cohort were followed prospectively. Information on wheezing episodes, AD, maternal employment, and other variables were collected by interview at 12 and 30 wk of gestation, and 6 and 18 months of age, and by linkage to the Danish Medical Birth Register and the Child-care Database. The relative risk was estimated in Cox proportional hazard models. Analyses were stratified by sibling status (first born or not), as older siblings are likely to be a significant source of infectious agents. The adjusted relative risks of wheeze, recurrent wheeze and AD was 1.14 (95% CI: 0.96–1.37), 1.37 (95% CI: 1.05–1.77), and 1.03 (95% CI: 0.81–1.31), respectively, for first-born infants of mothers employed in child-care institutions compared with infants of mothers not so employed. There was no effect of maternal employment in child-care institutions among infants with older siblings. In conclusion, the results did not support the hypothesis that maternal microbial exposure before or during pregnancy as reflected by maternal employment in child-care institutions protects the offspring against infant wheeze and AD.     

Allergic diseases among very preterm infants according to nutrition after hospital discharge

To cite this article: Zachariassen G, Faerk J, Esberg BH, Fenger‐Gron J, Mortensen S, Christesen HT, Halken S. Allergic diseases among very preterm infants according to nutrition after hospital discharge. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2011; 22 : 515–520. To determine whether a cow’s milk‐based human milk fortifier (HMF) added to mother’s milk while breastfeeding or a cow’s milk‐based preterm formula compared to exclusively mother’s milk after hospital discharge, increases the incidence of developing allergic diseases among very preterm infants (VPI) during the first year of life. Of a cohort of 324 VPI (gestational age 24–32 wk), the exclusively breastfed VPI were shortly before discharge randomized to breastfeeding without fortification or supplementing with a fortifier. Those not breastfed were fed a preterm formula. The intervention period was from discharge until 4 months corrected age (CA). Follow‐up was performed at 4 and 12 months CA including specific IgE to a panel of allergens at 4 months CA. The incidence during and prevalence at 12 months CA of recurrent wheezing (RW) was 39.2% and 32.7%, while atopic dermatitis (AD) was 18.0% and 12.1%, respectively. Predisposition to allergic disease increased the risk of developing AD (p = 0.04) [OR 2.6 (95% CI 1.0–6.4)] and the risk of developing RW (p = 0.02) [OR 2.7 (95% CI 1.2–6.3)]. Boys had an increased risk of developing RW (p = 0.003) [OR 3.1 (95% CI 1.5–6.5)]. No difference was found between nutrition groups. None developed food allergy. Compared to exclusively breastfed, VPI supplemented with HMF or fed exclusively a preterm formula for 4 months did not have an increased risk of developing allergic diseases during the first year of life.     

Birth size effect on pulmonary functions and atopic sensitization in preadolescence

Background: The purpose of the present paper was to examine whether low birth size is associated with reduced pulmonary function and increased atopic sensitization in preadolescence. Methods: A cohort of 25 small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) infants and an age‐ and sex‐matched comparison group of 29 appropriate‐for‐gestational‐age (AGA) infants born in 1993/94 were studied in preadolescence. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), and forced expiratory flow when 25–75% of FVC is expired (FEF_25–75%) were measured using a spirometer. Atopic sensitization was assessed on serum total IgE levels and skin prick tests (SPT) to common allergens. Results: There were positive correlations among FEV1 (r = 0.30, P = 0.001), FVC (r = 0.20, P = 0.03), and FEF_25–75% (r = 0.5, P = 0.001) and ponderal index (PI), although the FEV1/FVC ratio was not correlated with birth size. Mean value of serum total IgE was higher in SGA (106.0 ± 73.4 IU/mL) than AGA children (71.4 ± 67.1 IU/mL; P = 0.02). PI under 10th centile was associated with high IgE levels (P = 0.04, odds ratio, 3.2; 95%CI: 1.0–9.8). The overall prevalence of atopy was 14.8% and there was no significant difference between the groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Preadolescents who were born SGA with low birth size compared to controls had reduced pulmonary function. In preadolescence the prevalence of atopy is not higher in SGA than AGA children, although low PI at birth is associated with high IgE levels. Further follow up of this cohort is required to establish the pattern of pulmonary functions and atopic sensitizations in relation to birth size.     

健康婴儿与过敏性疾病婴儿肠道双歧杆菌构建差异初探

目的 通过比较健康婴儿与过敏性疾病婴儿肠道双歧杆菌的构建规律,探讨婴儿肠道双歧杆菌与过敏性疾病的关系。方法 收集48例婴儿生后第0（胎便）、2、7、15天,1、6、12月时共7个时间点的粪便样品,其中22例在1岁以前患过过敏性疾病的婴儿组成过敏组,26例健康婴儿作为健康组,使用实时荧光定量PCR技术对婴儿粪便中双歧杆菌属及8种双歧杆菌菌种进行定性及定量分析。结果 两组婴儿在0~1月期间肠道双歧杆菌构建过程不同,健康组第2天表现出双歧杆菌下降的"重建"特征,而过敏组不存在此特征。过敏组第1月时双歧杆菌属的检出量低于健康组（P < 0.05）;第15天时B.breve的检出率低于健康组（P < 0.05）,且B.infantis定植延迟。结论 婴儿出生后0~1月的肠道双歧杆菌及其构建规律可能与过敏性疾病的发生有关,该时期可能是婴儿出生后过敏性疾病的防治关键期。