Subgroup differences in the associations between dog exposure during the first year of life and early life allergic outcomes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The effect of dog exposure on the risk of children developing allergic disease remains controversial. Many analyses have not considered that associations may vary within population subgroups.

Objective

To examine whether associations between living with a dog in the first year of life and allergic outcomes vary within subgroups selected a priori (race, gender and delivery mode).

Methods

Black (n = 496) and White (n = 196) children enrolled in the WHEALS birth cohort study had a clinical examination at age 2 years to assess eczema and allergen-specific IgE (sIgE) and perform skin prick testing (SPT). Whether the child lived with an indoor dog in the first year of life was assessed through interview, as was doctor diagnosis of asthma at ages 3-6 years.

Res

SUBMITTER: Wegienka G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5195869 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature