Abstract
We studied the relation between family backgrounds and customs and allergy. Four hundred children were enrolled in 4-month checkups. Their family backgrounds and customs were studied using questionnaires at 4-month and 3.5-year checkups. Their allergic manifestations were examined at routine checkups.
At 4-month checkups, atopic dermatitis (AD) and eczema were found in 37 and 62 children, respectively. AD and eczema were found more frequently in children who were born between July and December than those between January and June. The development of AD, food allergy and bronchial asthma was observed in 71, 52 and 21 children, respectively, out of 314 using questionnaires at 3.5-year checkups.
There was no relation between the number of family members and the development of AD, but the rate of children who started to use the family bathtub after 3 months of age was higher in the AD group at 4 months than in the normal group among children who were born between January and June. The rate of children whose family members used the same towel after taking baths was higher in the eczema group at 4 months than in the normal group among children who were born between July and December. However, there was no relation between the development of allergy and either the order of taking baths, the frequency of washing the bathtub, giving children food that somebody else has chewed to soften it, or kissing the lips of children.
These data suggest the existence of some relation between family backgrounds and customs and AD or eczema, but causal linkage between them is unclear.
