The association between preand postnatal tobacco smoke exposure and allergic sensitization during early childhood

AIM: of our study was to investigate the effect of pre- and postnatal passive tobacco smoke exposure on the incidence of allergic sensitization. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Specific sensitization to food, outdoor and indoor allergens was determined in 342 children at the age of 1, 2 and 3 years. Parents were asked about their smoking habit at the birth of their children, at 18 months and 3 years of age. RESULTS: Multivariate regression analysis indicated, that during the first 3 years of life, pre- and postnatally exposed children had a significantly higher risk for sensitization to food allergens compared to children never exposed to tobacco smoke (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1-4.2; P = 0.02). With respect to inhalant allergens no significant influence of tobacco smoke exposure on specific sensitization could be demonstrated. CONCLUSION: During early childhood both pre- and postnatal tobacco smoke exposure has an adjuvant effect on allergic sensitization to food allergens.