Abstract
Background: There are currently very few birth cohort studies with sensitization data available. Methods: In this study, we followed the infants of our previous birth cohort study; these infants underwent the skin prick test at ages 2 and 3 years. At age 4, we administered a questionnaire and investigated the prevalence of various allergic diseases. Results: One hundred and eighty children were followed from birth until age 4. Of these, 136 had sensitization data at least once after age 1. All children with food allergy (FA) at 4 years had dermatitis during early infancy and were sensitized before 1 year of age. Further, almost all children with atopic dermatitis (AD) without FA were in remission by age 4. Bronchial asthma (BA) at age 4 was associated with daycare attendance, fever, and antibiotics or antipyretic use during infancy, but not with infantile AD or FA, and most children with BA were sensitized to inhalant allergens. Conclusion: Our results suggest that skin sensitization in early infancy may influence the risk of FA at age 4, and infants with AD but without FA may have a good prognosis. Lastly, BA at age 4 was found to be mainly infection-associated and not associated with allergic march, although allergen-induced asthma characteristics were noted.
