Salivary cortisol levels and allergy in children: The ALADDIN birth cohort - 30/11/11
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Abstract |
Background |
Pre- and postnatal stress have been related to allergy in children, but evidence from prospective studies is limited. Several environmental factors can influence the salivary cortisol level, which is used as a measure of activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
Objective |
The aim of this study was to assess the association between salivary cortisol levels at 6 months of age and allergic manifestations during the first 2 years of life.
Methods |
Salivary samples for the analysis of cortisol level were collected at 6 months of age on 3 occasions during 1 day from 203 children. Blood samples were collected at 6, 12, and 24 months of age for analyses of specific IgE. Information on allergy-related symptoms was obtained by repeated examinations of the children. Generalized estimating equation statistics were used to calculate the overall risk for outcome measures.
Results |
The adjusted odds ratio for the relationship between morning cortisol level and IgE sensitization was 1.60 (95% CI, 1.22-2.10, P = .001) and for eczema it was 1.28 (95% CI, 1.03-1.59, P = .026). The odds ratio for afternoon cortisol level in relation to sensitization and eczema was 1.56 (95% CI, 1.26-1.94, P < .001) and 1.33 (95% CI, 1.12-1.58, P = .001), respectively, and for evening cortisol level it was 1.49 (95% CI, 1.22-1.83, P < .001) and 1.37 (95% CI, 1.18-1.59, P < .001). Salivary cortisol level in the evening was associated with food allergy.
Conclusion |
The association between salivary cortisol levels in infancy and allergic sensitization and allergic symptoms suggests a role of an altered hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in the etiological process of allergies.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Key words : Allergy, sensitization, salivary cortisol, children, stress
Abbreviations used : ALADDIN, HPA, OR
Plan
This work was funded by the Swedish Research Council, the Swedish Research Council for Working Life and Social Research; the Centre for Allergy Research and the “Mjölkdroppen” Society, Karolinska Institutet; Phadia AB; the Stockholm County Council; the Swedish Asthma and Allergy Research Association; the Swedish Pediatric Allergy Society; the Swedish Society of Medicine; the Cancer and Allergy Fund; Consul ThC Bergh-, Ekhaga-, “Frimurare Barnhuset” in Stockholm; and the Gyllenberg, Hesselman, Samariten, and Vårdal foundations. |
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Disclosure of potential conflict of interest: F. Lindblad has received research support from the Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research. The rest of the authors have declared that they have no conflict of interest. |
Vol 128 - N° 6
P. 1335-1339 - décembre 2011 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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