For Publishers
DiscoveryMetadataPeer reviewHostingPublishing
For Researchers
JoinPublishReviewCollect
Register
Blog
About
Search
Advanced search
My ScienceOpen
Search
For Publishers
For Researchers
Blog
About
38
views
38
references
 Top references
cited by
78
    
0 reviews
 Review
0
comments
 Comment
0
recommends
+1 Recommend
0 collections
    0
    shares
      69
      similar
       All similar
      • Record: found
      • Abstract: found
      • Article: found
      Is Open Access

      Does Pet Ownership in Infancy Lead to Asthma or Allergy at School Age? Pooled Analysis of Individual Participant Data from 11 European Birth Cohorts

      research-article
      Author(s): 1 , 2 , 3 , * , 2 , 4 , 1 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 3 , 10 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 3 , 24 , 24 , 3 , GALEN WP 1.5 ‘Birth Cohorts’ working group
      :
      Sachs' Children's Hospital
      :
      Institute of Environmental Medicine
      :
      Institute of Environmental Medicine
      :
      Dept. of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
      :
      Dept. of Pediatrics, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
      :
      Dept. of Pediatrics, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
      :
      Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz-Zentrum München, German Research Centre for Environmetal Health, Munich, Germany
      :
      Center for Prevention and Health Services Research, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
      :
      School of Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
      :
      Dept. of Dermatology
      :
      Dept. of Pediatrics, Odense University Hospital, Denmark
      :
      Dept. of Public Health, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Italy
      :
      Dept. of Public Health, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Italy
      :
      Dipartimento di Epidemiologia ASL Rm E, Rome, Italy
      :
      Dipartimento di Epidemiologia ASL Rm E, Rome, Italy
      :
      Wythenshawe Hospital, University of Manchester, UK
      :
      Allergy Center, Vilnius University, Lithuania
      :
      Dept. of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, University of Ghent, Belgium
      25
      Editor(s):
      Publication date (Electronic):
      Journal: PLoS ONE
      Publisher: Public Library of Science

      Read this article at

      ScienceOpenPublisherPMC
      Bookmark
          There is no author summary for this article yet. Authors can add summaries to their articles on ScienceOpen to make them more accessible to a non-specialist audience.

          Abstract

          Objective

          To examine the associations between pet keeping in early childhood and asthma and allergies in children aged 6–10 years.

          Design

          Pooled analysis of individual participant data of 11 prospective European birth cohorts that recruited a total of over 22,000 children in the 1990s.

          Exposure definition

          Ownership of only cats, dogs, birds, rodents, or cats/dogs combined during the first 2 years of life.

          Outcome definition

          Current asthma (primary outcome), allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis and allergic sensitization during 6–10 years of age.

          Data synthesis

          Three-step approach: (i) Common definition of outcome and exposure variables across cohorts; (ii) calculation of adjusted effect estimates for each cohort; (iii) pooling of effect estimates by using random effects meta-analysis models.

          Results

          We found no association between furry and feathered pet keeping early in life and asthma in school age. For example, the odds ratio for asthma comparing cat ownership with “no pets” (10 studies, 11489 participants) was 1.00 (95% confidence interval 0.78 to 1.28) (I 2 = 9%; p = 0.36). The odds ratio for asthma comparing dog ownership with “no pets” (9 studies, 11433 participants) was 0.77 (0.58 to 1.03) (I 2 = 0%, p = 0.89). Owning both cat(s) and dog(s) compared to “no pets” resulted in an odds ratio of 1.04 (0.59 to 1.84) (I 2 = 33%, p = 0.18). Similarly, for allergic asthma and for allergic rhinitis we did not find associations regarding any type of pet ownership early in life. However, we found some evidence for an association between ownership of furry pets during the first 2 years of life and reduced likelihood of becoming sensitized to aero-allergens.

          Conclusions

          Pet ownership in early life did not appear to either increase or reduce the risk of asthma or allergic rhinitis symptoms in children aged 6–10. Advice from health care practitioners to avoid or to specifically acquire pets for primary prevention of asthma or allergic rhinitis in children should not be given.

          Related collections

          Most cited references38

          • Record: found
          • Abstract: found
          • Article: not found

          International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC): rationale and methods.

          Richard Beasley, Melissa L. Anderson, Linda Asher … (1995)
          The aetiology of asthma and allergic disease remains poorly understood, despite considerable research. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), was founded to maximize the value of epidemiological research into asthma and allergic disease, by establishing a standardized methodology and facilitating international collaboration. Its specific aims are: 1) to describe the prevalence and severity of asthma, rhinitis and eczema in children living in different centres, and to make comparisons within and between countries; 2) to obtain baseline measures for assessment of future trends in the prevalence and severity of these diseases; and 3) to provide a framework for further aetiological research into genetic, lifestyle, environmental, and medical care factors affecting these diseases. The ISAAC design comprises three phases. Phase 1 uses core questionnaires designed to assess the prevalence and severity of asthma and allergic disease in defined populations. Phase 2 will investigate possible aetiological factors, particularly those suggested by the findings of Phase 1. Phase 3 will be a repetition of Phase 1 to assess trends in prevalence.
          Article 0 comments Cited 276 times – based on 0 reviews     Review now
            Bookmark
            • Record: found
            • Abstract: found
            • Article: not found

            Exposure to dogs and cats in the first year of life and risk of allergic sensitization at 6 to 7 years of age.

            Dennis R Ownby (2002)
            Childhood asthma is strongly associated with allergic sensitization. Studies have suggested that animal exposure during infancy reduces subsequent allergic sensitization. To evaluate the relationship between dog and cat exposure in the first year of life and allergic sensitization at 6 to 7 years of age. Prospective birth cohort study of healthy, full-term infants enrolled in a health maintenance organization in suburban Detroit, Mich, who were born between April 15, 1987, and August 31, 1989, and followed up yearly to a mean age of 6.7 years. Of 835 children initially in the study at birth, 474 (57%) completed follow-up evaluations at age 6 to 7 years. Atopy, defined as any skin prick test positivity to 6 common aeroallergens (dust mites [Dermatophagoides farinae, D pteronyssinus], dog, cat, short ragweed [Ambrosia artemisiifolia], and blue grass [Poa pratensis]); seroatopy, defined as any positive allergen-specific IgE test result for the same 6 allergens or for Alternaria species. The prevalence of any skin prick test positivity (atopy) at age 6 to 7 years was 33.6% with no dog or cat exposure in the first year of life, 34.3% with exposure to 1 dog or cat, and 15.4% with exposure to 2 or more dogs or cats (P =.005). The prevalence of any positive allergen-specific IgE test result (seroatopy) was 38.5% with no dog or cat exposure, 41.2% with exposure to 1 dog or cat, and 17.9% with exposure to 2 or more dogs or cats (P =.003). After adjustment for cord serum IgE concentration, sex, older siblings, parental smoking, parental asthma, bedroom dust mite allergen levels at 2 years, and current dog and cat ownership, exposure to 2 or more dogs or cats in the first year of life was associated with a significantly lower risk of atopy (adjusted odds ratio, 0.23; 95% confidence interval, 0.09-0.60) and seroatopy (adjusted odds ratio, 0.33; 95% confidence interval, 0.13-0.83). Exposure to 2 or more dogs or cats in the first year of life may reduce subsequent risk of allergic sensitization to multiple allergens during childhood.
            Article 0 comments Cited 133 times – based on 0 reviews     Review now
              Bookmark
              • Record: found
              • Abstract: found
              • Article: not found

              Does early exposure to cat or dog protect against later allergy development?

              B Eriksson, Bengt Björkstén, N Åberg … (1999)
              It is unknown which factors in modern western society that have caused the current increase in prevalence of allergic diseases. Improved hygiene, smaller families, altered exposure to allergens have been suggested. To assess the relationship between exposure to pets in early life, family size, allergic manifestations and allergic sensitization at 7-9 and 12-13 years of age. The prevalence of allergic diseases and various background factors were assessed in 1991 and 1996 by questionnaire studies. In 1991, the study comprised representative samples of children from the Göteborg area on the Swedish west coast (7 years old, n = 1649) and the inland town Kiruna in northern Sweden (7-9 years old, n = 832). In 1992, a validation interview and skin prick test (SPT) were performed in a stratified sub-sample of 412 children. In 1996, this subgroup was followed up with identical questions about clinical symptoms as in 1991, detailed questions about early pet exposure were added and SPT performed. Children exposed to pets during the first year of life had a lower frequency of allergic rhinitis at 7-9 years of age and of asthma at 12-13 years. Children exposed to cat during the first year of life were less often SPT positive to cat at 12-13 years. The results were similar when those children were excluded, whose parents had actively decided against pet keeping during infancy because of allergy in the family. There was a negative correlation between the number of siblings and development of asthma and allergic rhinitis. Pet exposure during the first year of life and increasing number of siblings were both associated with a lower prevalence of allergic rhinitis and asthma in school children.
              Article 0 comments Cited 51 times – based on 0 reviews     Review now
                Bookmark
                All references

                Author and article information

                Contributors
                : On behalf of : as part of the GA 2LEN WP 1.5 ‘Birth Cohorts’ working group
                : Role: Editor
                Journal
                Journal ID (nlm-ta): PLoS One
                Journal ID (iso-abbrev): PLoS ONE
                Journal ID (publisher-id): plos
                Journal ID (pmc): plosone
                Title: PLoS ONE
                Publisher: Public Library of Science (San Francisco, USA )
                ISSN (Electronic): 1932-6203
                Publication date Collection: 2012
                Publication date (Electronic): 29 August 2012
                Volume: 7
                Issue: 8
                Electronic Location Identifier: e43214
                Affiliations
                Sachs' Children's Hospital
                Institute of Environmental Medicine
                Institute of Environmental Medicine
                Dept. of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
                Dept. of Pediatrics, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
                Dept. of Pediatrics, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
                Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz-Zentrum München, German Research Centre for Environmetal Health, Munich, Germany
                Center for Prevention and Health Services Research, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
                School of Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
                Dept. of Dermatology
                Dept. of Pediatrics, Odense University Hospital, Denmark
                Dept. of Public Health, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Italy
                Dept. of Public Health, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Italy
                Dipartimento di Epidemiologia ASL Rm E, Rome, Italy
                Dipartimento di Epidemiologia ASL Rm E, Rome, Italy
                Wythenshawe Hospital, University of Manchester, UK
                Allergy Center, Vilnius University, Lithuania
                Dept. of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, University of Ghent, Belgium
                [1 ]Department of Paediatrics, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Norway
                [2 ]Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
                [3 ]Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
                [4 ]Voksentoppen, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
                [5 ]Centre for Prevention and Health Services Research, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
                [6 ]Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
                [7 ]Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
                [8 ]Ib-salut Menorca Health Area and Fundacio Caubet-Cimera, Menorca, Spain
                [9 ]The David Hide Asthma and Allergy Research Centre, Isle of Wight and University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
                [10 ]Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
                [11 ]Institut für Umweltmedizinische Forschung, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
                [12 ]Department of Pediatrics, Marien-Hospital Wesel, Wesel, Germany
                [13 ]Allergycenter, Department of Dermatology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
                [14 ]Department of Pediatrics, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
                [15 ]Institute for Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
                [16 ]Environmental Epidemiology Research Centre and Institut Municipal d'Investigacio Medica, Barcelona, Spain
                [17 ]Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
                [18 ]Astrid Lindgrens' Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Sweden
                [19 ]Unitat recerca infancia i entorn, Institut Municipal d'Investigacio Medica - Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
                [20 ]Faculty of Medicine, University of Leipzig and Department of Human Exposure Research and Epidemiology, UFZ - Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
                [21 ]Dept. of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
                [22 ]Systems and Modeling Unit, Montefiore Institute, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
                [23 ]Bioinformatics and Modeling, GIGA-R, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
                [24 ]Dept. for Paediatric Pneumology and Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
                [25 ]Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA 2LEN)-Work Package 1.5 ‘Birth Cohorts’
                Hospital for Sick Children, Canada
                Author notes

                Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

                Conceived and designed the experiments: KCLC SR SL TK. Performed the experiments: KCLC SR TK. Analyzed the data: SR AR PM JMMJ KVS. Contributed reagents/materials/analysis tools: KHC AW BB MT GR SA IK AvB EE AH CK BS JS CMC AA CP OH SW UW UK. Wrote the paper: SR KCLC TK.

                Article
                Publisher ID: PONE-D-12-09280
                DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0043214
                PMC ID: 3430634
                PubMed ID: 22952649
                SO-VID: 209e2b16-8006-43c5-9fa8-61dc675a0c4d
                Copyright statement: Copyright @ 2012
                License:

                This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

                History
                Date received : 29 March 2012
                Date accepted : 20 July 2012
                Page count
                Pages: 12
                Funding
                This collaborative project was initiated, supported and funded by the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA2LEN; www.ga2len.net) under the 6th framework programme of the European Commission (project no. FOOD-CT-2004-506378). Sources of funding of the individual birth cohort studies are described in their publications. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
                Categories
                Subject: Research Article
                Subject: Medicine
                Subject: Clinical Immunology
                Subject: Allergy and Hypersensitivity
                Subject: Clinical Research Design
                Subject: Cohort Studies
                Subject: Epidemiology
                Subject: Pediatric Epidemiology
                Subject: Pediatrics
                Subject: Public Health
                Subject: Child Health
                Subject: Preventive Medicine
                Subject: Pulmonology
                Subject: Asthma
                Subject: Pediatric Pulmonology

                ScienceOpen disciplines: Uncategorized
                Data availability:
                ScienceOpen disciplines: Uncategorized

                Comments

                Comment on this article

                scite_

                Similar content69

                See all similar

                Cited by74

                See all cited by

                Most referenced authors463

                See all reference authors