Ethnicity, childhood environment and atopic disorder

Abstract

This study demonstrates that ethnicity is an important determinant of atopic disorder independent of the external childhood environment. The value of international comparisons of environment and risk for atopic disorders can be questioned until more is known about factors related to ethnicity, such as genetic susceptibility and diet, for the development of atopy.

The Prevalence of Allergic Sensitisation in Immigrant Children in the Netherlands

“…a lower overall prevalence of allergic sensitisation in children with Turkish nationality living in Germany as compared with their German peers. The relatively low prevalence of allergic disease in Turkish children was confirmed in a Swedish interview study [16]. However, the various sensitisation rates of German children, as reported by Kabesch et al [14], were considerably higher than those in their Dutch peers (e.g.…”

“…These studies showed that the prevalence of allergy was lower in children with parents from Mediterranean countries as compared with children of native parents [13, 14]. In contrast, Dutch immigrant children more often have respiratory symptoms in the first years of life than Dutch children [15], and children from Chilean immigrants in Sweden had a higher prevalence of allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis than children from Swedish parents [16]. This Swedish interview-based study, however, also showed a relatively low prevalence of allergic disease in Turkish children as compared with Chileans.…”

Preterm Birth and Inhaled Corticosteroid Use in 6- to 19-Year-Olds: A Swedish National Cohort Study

“…Offspring of foreign parents were excluded because of the influence of ethnicity on asthma prevalence in Sweden. 13 From this population, we excluded 33 183 children who had at least 1 malformation reported at birth by the attending pediatrician. However, minor malformations (undescended testicles, preauricular appendage, and congenital nevus) and hip dislocation were considered insignificant and were not excluded.…”

Health-Related Quality of Life in Children with Asthma from Different Ethnic Origins

“…Previous studies in Western European countries indicate ethnic differences in prevalence of allergic diseases and respiratory symptoms (12)(13)(14). However, data on perceived level of HRQoL in children with asthma from different ethnic backgrounds are scarce.…”