Food Allergy Among Low Birthweight Children in a National Survey

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to investigate the association between birthweight and prevalence of food allergies using a national sample of US children. Adult report of birthweight and child food allergies were obtained for years 2005-2009 from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), a cross-sectional household survey of the US population. A total of 51,748 children aged 0-17 years were included in the analyses representing over 73 million children. Multivariable logistic regression analyses examined associations between birthweight categories and food allergies stratified by age and gender; accounting for the complex design of NHIS. Children aged 6-12 years who were born very low birthweight (500-1,499 g) were more likely to have reported food allergy compared to referent (3,000-3,499 g), OR = 1.72; 95% CI: 1.02-2.91. However, there was no clear trend of an association between birthweight and food allergy with increasing or decreasing birthweight across all ages. Estimates were generally stronger in younger male children as compared to estimates in females of the same age group. Marginal associations for respiratory allergy (OR = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.02-2.29) and hay fever (OR = 1.54; 95% CI: 0.93-2.54) were observed among very low birthweight children aged 0-5 years. There was limited evidence for a clear association between birthweight and food allergy. Marginal associations observed in children weighing 500-1,499 g at birth support efforts to minimize preterm births and very low birthweight given the increase in pediatric food allergies and the large number of children born low birthweight each year in the US.

Early life precursors, epigenetics, and the development of food allergy

“…Lucas et al reported that LBW infants who received cow's milk formula developed latent systemic sensitization more rapidly than infants born at term[91]. A recent study in a national sample of U.S. children showed that children aged 6-12 years who were born with very LBW were more likely to have reported FA compared to children with normal birthweight[92]. However, findings from other studies have questioned the role of prematurity/LBW in the development of FA.…”

Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis in Infants and Preschool-Age Children

“…21 The association between FA, preterm birth, and low birth weight has been previously explored. 31,32 A recent study proposed that the increased risk of FA among preterm-born children is predominantly because of an effect of being born preterm rather than because of low birth weight. 31 This finding is also confirmed by our study, in which preterm birth was associated with an increased risk of FA.…”

“…31,32 A recent study proposed that the increased risk of FA among preterm-born children is predominantly because of an effect of being born preterm rather than because of low birth weight. 31 This finding is also confirmed by our study, in which preterm birth was associated with an increased risk of FA. One possible explanation for this association is the finding that preterm babies have an immature intestine that allows higher gut permeability, resulting in increased absorption of antigens that are presented to the resident immune cells within the wall of the gut.…”

Estudio Transversal: Factores de Riesgo para Alergia Alimentaria en Adolescentes de Cuenca y Santa Isabel, Ecuador

“…NE: II/III 2) Estudio transversal: menor probabilidad de presentar AA con mayor peso al nacer en niños de 6 a 12 años; asociación incierta al analizar niños de 0 a 17 años [50]. NE: IV…”