Perinatal & Pediatric
Early-life living environment, parental mental health, gender differences and allergic diseases among children under-five years in the Greater Taipei Area Yohane Vincent Abero Phiri* Yohane Vincent Abero Phiri Yi-Hua Chen Ming-Lun Zou Chuen-Bin Jiang Ichtiarini Nurullita Santrif Chih-Da Wu Hsiao-Chun Huang Shih-Chun Candice Lung Ling-Chu Chien Yu-Chun Lo Fang-Yu Lee Hsing Jasmine Chao
Background:
Pediatric allergic diseases pose a significant global public health challenge, as the child’s household and immediate environment, parental mental health, and gender differences all play a crucial role. We examined the association between various environmental characteristics and doctor diagnosed allergic diseases while exploring the role of parental mental health status and child gender differences.
Methods:
As part of the Longitudinal Examination Across Prenatal and Postnatal Health in Taiwan (LEAPP-HIT) study, we investigated children aged under five and their parents in the Greater Taipei Area. We collected data on the household environment, parental mental health, and the children’s allergic disease medical history through standardized questionnaires. Additionally, we examined outdoor environmental factors such as air pollution, land use, and points of interest, and conducted indoor environmental sampling to assess levels of air pollutants, microbes, and allergens. Using logistic regression models, we analyzed the relationship between indoor/outdoor factors, parental mental health, gender differences, and allergic diseases in 136 children.
Results:
The purchase of new furniture (aOR=2.32, 95% CI [1.10-5.41]) and less frequent household cleaning (aOR=5.42, 95% CI [1.11-6.47]) were associated with allergic rhinitis and eczema in children, respectively. Children in households with carpets (aOR=12.42, 95% CI [1.36-18.10]), bedrooms having a moldy smell (aOR=2.51, 95% CI [1.29-4.82]), and beds with higher Der f 1 levels (aOR=1.69, 95% CI [1.10-2.91]) showed increased odds of allergic conjunctivitis. Additionally, ambient particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤10 microns levels (aOR=1.11, 95% CI [1.00-1.23]), points of interest, and parental mental health significantly impacted the occurrence of allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and eczema. We also observed gender differences, with males being more susceptible to allergic diseases than females.
Conclusion:
Our findings underscore the complexity of allergic disease development in children, emphasizing the need to consider the maintenance of a clean home environment, parental mental health, and the child’s gender when offering medical advice to families with children affected by allergic diseases.
