An association between plastic mattress covers and sheepskin underbedding use in infancy and house dust mite sensitization in childhood: a prospective study

Vaccination News Home Page subscribe Vaccination NewsLetter

http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/links/doi/10.1046/j.1365-2222.2003.01642.x/abs/

Home > List of Issues > Table of Contents > Abstract

Abstract

Download to reference manager

Clinical & Experimental Allergy
Volume 33 Issue 4 Page 483 - April 2003

An association between plastic mattress covers and sheepskin underbedding use in infancy and house dust mite sensitization in childhood: a prospective study

L. F. Trevillian*, A.-L. Ponsonby*

, T. Dwyer, L. L.-Y. Lim*, A. Kemp, J. Cochrane and A. Carmichael

Summary

Background Higher house dust mite (HDM) allergen exposure during infancy has been associated with increased HDM sensitization. Infant bedding has been associated with the accumulation of varying levels of HDM. Prospective data on the relationship between infant bedding and the development of HDM sensitization has not been previously examined.

Objectives To determine if particular types of bedding used in infancy are associated with increased risk of house dust mite sensitization in childhood.

Methods A population-based sample (n = 498) of children born in 1988 or 1989, and who were resident in Northern Tasmania in 1997, participated in this study. These children were part of a birth cohort study (1988-95), the Tasmanian Infant Health Survey. Data on infant underbedding and mattresses was available on 460 and 457 children, respectively. The main outcome measure was HDM sensitization defined as a skin prick test (SPT) reaction of 3 mm or more to the allergens of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and/or Dermatophagoides farinae.

Results The use of either sheepskin underbedding or plastic mattress covers in infancy was associated with an increased risk of sensitization to HDM allergens at age 8 years. The adjusted risk ratio (RR) for sensitization to HDM with sheepskin in infancy was 2.27 (95% CI: 1.14, 4.55), P = 0.020. The adjusted RR for sensitization to HDM with the use of plastic mattress covers in infancy was 2.06 (95% CI: 1.22, 3.51), P = 0.007. The use of a foam mattress in infancy was not related to subsequent HDM sensitization.

Conclusion Infant's bedding plays a role in the development of HDM sensitization in childhood. Intervention studies to examine mite allergen levels and the role of underbedding on the development of HDM sensitization are required.

QuickSearch in:

for

Authors:

L. F. Trevillian

A.-L. Ponsonby

T. Dwyer

L. L.-Y. Lim

A. Kemp

J. Cochrane

A. Carmichael

Keywords

aeroallergen sensitization

house dust mite

infant bedding

mattress covers

prospective cohort

volatile organic compounds

Submitted 5 August 2002; revised 18 November 2002; accepted 25 November 2002

Affiliations

*National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra,Menzies Centre for Population Health, University of Tasmania, Hobart,§Department of Immunology, Royal Children's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne andDepartment of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia

Correspondence

Correspondence: L. F. Trevillian, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra ACT 0200, Australia. E-mail: leigh.trevillian@anu.edu.au

To cite this article
Trevillian, L. F., Ponsonby, A.-L., Dwyer, T., Lim, L. L.-Y., Kemp, A., Cochrane, J. & Carmichael, A.
An association between plastic mattress covers and sheepskin underbedding use in infancy and house dust mite sensitization in childhood: a prospective study.
Clinical & Experimental Allergy 33 (4), 483-489.
doi: 10.1046/
j.1365-2222.2003.01642.x

Vaccination News Home Page

ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.