Emma Bajeux1, Sylvaine Cordier1, Ronan Garlantézec2, Christine Monfort1, Florence Rouget3, Fabienne Pelé4. 1. Inserm (Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale) UMR 1085, IRSET (Institut de Recherche Santé Environnement & Travail), Université de Rennes 1, Rennes Cedex, France. 2. Inserm (Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale) UMR 1085, IRSET (Institut de Recherche Santé Environnement & Travail), Université de Rennes 1, Rennes Cedex, France Département Santé Environnement Travail et Génie Sanitaire (DSET&GS), Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Santé Publique (EHESP), Rennes, France. 3. Inserm (Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale) UMR 1085, IRSET (Institut de Recherche Santé Environnement & Travail), Université de Rennes 1, Rennes Cedex, France Département de Pédiatrie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes (CHU), Rennes, France. 4. Inserm (Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale) UMR 1085, IRSET (Institut de Recherche Santé Environnement & Travail), Université de Rennes 1, Rennes Cedex, France Service d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes (CHU), Rennes, France.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The time from the prenatal period through early childhood is an important window of vulnerability for the developing immune and respiratory systems, both sensitive to environmental chemicals such as solvents. This study sought to examine the effects of solvent exposure during the prenatal and postnatal periods on wheezing, eczema and food allergies in early childhood. METHODS: This study, based on the PELAGIE cohort, included 1505 mother-child pairs with measurements of prenatal and postnatal solvent exposures and data on wheezing, eczema or food allergies. The maternal occupation reported at inclusion, in early pregnancy allowed us to define prenatal occupational solvent exposure (by three specific job-exposure matrices). Data on prenatal and postnatal domestic solvent exposure, that is exposure to products that contain solvents, were obtained from self-administered questionnaires, once at inclusion and again when the child was 2 years old. Outcome data was collected at the 2-year follow-up. Associations between exposures and outcomes were estimated by logistic regression models, after adjustment for potential confounders. RESULTS: No association was observed between prenatal exposure to solvents and the outcomes studied. Postnatal exposure was associated with an increased risk of wheezing (OR=1.80 (95% CI 1.25 to 2.59)) which persisted after adjustment for prenatal exposure. No significant association was observed with eczema or food allergies. CONCLUSIONS: Postnatal exposure to solvent-containing products in the home may increase the risk of wheezing in early childhood. Follow-up studies are needed to determine if the health effects observed at age 2 persist at later ages. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.
OBJECTIVES: The time from the prenatal period through early childhood is an important window of vulnerability for the developing immune and respiratory systems, both sensitive to environmental chemicals such as solvents. This study sought to examine the effects of solvent exposure during the prenatal and postnatal periods on wheezing, eczema and food allergies in early childhood. METHODS: This study, based on the PELAGIE cohort, included 1505 mother-child pairs with measurements of prenatal and postnatal solvent exposures and data on wheezing, eczema or food allergies. The maternal occupation reported at inclusion, in early pregnancy allowed us to define prenatal occupational solvent exposure (by three specific job-exposure matrices). Data on prenatal and postnatal domestic solvent exposure, that is exposure to products that contain solvents, were obtained from self-administered questionnaires, once at inclusion and again when the child was 2 years old. Outcome data was collected at the 2-year follow-up. Associations between exposures and outcomes were estimated by logistic regression models, after adjustment for potential confounders. RESULTS: No association was observed between prenatal exposure to solvents and the outcomes studied. Postnatal exposure was associated with an increased risk of wheezing (OR=1.80 (95% CI 1.25 to 2.59)) which persisted after adjustment for prenatal exposure. No significant association was observed with eczema or food allergies. CONCLUSIONS: Postnatal exposure to solvent-containing products in the home may increase the risk of wheezing in early childhood. Follow-up studies are needed to determine if the health effects observed at age 2 persist at later ages. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.