Moderate-to-severe lower respiratory tract infection in early life is associated with increased risk of polysensitization and atopic dermatitis: Findings from the CHILD Study

BackgroundRespiratory infections in infancy are associated with the development of allergic asthma and atopy. Delineating whether symptomatic a marker atopic predisposition or contribute to is important for preventive strategies. We hypothesized that early, severe lower respiratory tract (LRTIs) may be risk factor disease.ObjectiveOur aim was determine clinically defined, moderate-to-severe LRTIs dermatitis sensitization at preschool age.MethodsLRTI timing severity first 18 months life defined by using Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development study questionnaires. Polysensitization were determined standardized skin prick testing structured clinical assessments. associations between LRTI outcomes ages 3 years 5 adjusted repeated measures generalized estimation equations.ResultsModerate-to-severe increased odds polysensitization (odds ratio = 1.91 [95% CI 1.16-3.15]; P .014) 2.19 1.41-3.39]; < .001) as compared children no history life. The association remained robust after adjusting sex; site; breast-feeding duration; mother, father, both-parent atopy asthma.ConclusionsThese results highlight infant an disease (ie, dermatitis), they suggest this independent maternal utero environment, asthma, genetic predisposition. Respiratory disease. Our age. equations. Moderate-to-severe asthma. These