[Prevention of allergy in infants. A prospective study of 159 high-risk children]

Abstract

A total of 105 infants at "high risk" for developing allergy born in 1988 were studied prospectively from birth to 18 months of age. The infants were recommended breastfeeding and/or hypoallergenic formula (Nutramigen or Profylac) combined with avoidance of solid foods the first six months of life. All mothers had unrestricted diet. Avoidance of daily exposure to tobacco smoking, furred pets and dust collecting materials in the bedroom was advised. This prevention group was compared to a control group consisting of 54 identically defined "high-risk" infants born in 1985 in the same area. All the infants had either severe single atopic predisposition combined with cord blood IgE > or = 0.5 KU/l or biparental atopic predisposition. The control group had unrestricted diet and was not advised about environmental factors. The cumulative incidence of atopic symptoms was significantly lower at 18 months in the prevention group (32%) compared with the control group (74%) (p < 0.01), due to reduced incidence of recurrent wheezing (13% versus 37%; p < 0.01), atopic dermatitis (14% versus 31%; p < 0.01), vomiting/diarrhoea (5% versus 20%; p < 0.01) and infantile colic (9% versus 24%; p < 0.01). The cumulative incidence of food-allergy was significantly lower in the prevention group (6% versus 17%; p < 0.05). In both high-risk groups exposure to daily tobacco smoking increased the risk of recurrent wheezing significantly (p < 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)