Residential dampness problems and symptoms and signs of bronchial obstruction in young Norwegian children.

To assess the role of dampness problems and house dust mite exposure in the development of bronchial obstruction in early life, a cohort of 3,754 children born in Oslo during 1992 and 1993 was followed for 2 yr. Bronchial obstruction was defined as two or more episodes with symptoms and signs of obstruction or one lasting 1 mo or more. A matched case-control study was carried out in 251 cases of bronchial obstruction (response rate: 98%) and their 251 paired controls. Information on home dampness problem(s), house dust mite exposure, and potential confounders was collected during home visits and by questionnaires. Dampness problems were confirmed in the homes of 27% of the cases and 14% of the controls, while a concentration of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergens > 2 microg/g dust was found in the beds of 11 (4.5%) cases and three (1.2%) controls. In conditional logistic regression analysis controlling for potential confounders, confirmed dampness problems increased the risk of bronchial obstruction (adjusted odds ratio: 3.8; 95% confidence interval: 2.0-7.2). Exposure to D. pteronyssinus allergens > 2 microg/g dust increased the risk of bronchial obstruction (adjusted odds ratio: 2.8; 95% confidence interval: 0.7-11.7). Residential dampness problems in Oslo dwellings seem to increase symptoms and signs of bronchial obstruction in young children, apparently without increasing their exposure to house dust mites.