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Exposure to ambient fine particulate matter components during pregnancy and early childhood and its association with asthma, allergies, and sensitization in school-age children

Kazue Ojima, Yoshiko Yoda, Shin Araki, H. Shimadera, Narumi Tokuda, Yasuhiro Takeshima, Masayuki Shima

Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 2024

2,408 participants · 6 citations

Abstract

Background Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been associated with allergic diseases, including asthma. However, information about the effects of specific PM2.5 components is limited. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of exposure to chemical components of PM2.5 during pregnancy and early childhood with the development of asthma, allergies, and sensitization in school-age children. Methods This study included 2,408 children in the second grade of elementary school. Questionnaire surveys of respiratory/allergic symptoms and measurements of serum total IgE and specific IgE levels to house dust mite (HDM) and animal proteins were conducted. Exposures to ambient PM2.5 mass, sulfate (SO42−), nitrate (NO3−), ammonium (NH4+), elemental carbon (EC), and organic carbon (OC) of PM2.5 in participants’ residences from conception to age six were estimated using predictive models. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the association of respiratory/allergic symptoms and allergen sensitization with estimated exposure concentrations, after adjustment for survey year, sex, season of birth, feeding method during infancy, presence of siblings, history of lower respiratory tract infection, use of childcare facilities, passive smoking, presence of pets, mother’s age, history of allergic diseases, smoking during pregnancy, and annual household income. Results No significant association was found between PM2.5 and its component concentrations and…

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