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An investigation into the risk factors for rhinitis symptoms in infants included in the Pollution and Asthma Risk: an Infant Study (PARIS) birth cohort has shown that awareness about the impact of indoor exposures, especially to cockroach and particle-board furniture, must be raised, as they may influence the occurrence of non-infectious rhinitis. Information about indoor exposure and lifestyle was collected when the children were 1 month old, by telephone interview. The 18-month-old infants were then invited to participate in a health examination by a paediatrician. Allergic rhinitis was defined as the presence of rhinitis symptoms combined with biological atopy (elevated total immunoglobulin E (IgE), specific IgE or eosinophilia) and nonallergic rhinitis (NAR) as symptoms without biological atopy. The results show that allergic rhinitis and NAR did not share the same risk factors. Male sex, parental history, low socioeconomic class and the presence of cockroaches in the home were risk factors for allergic rhinitis. The presence of particle-board furniture under 12 months old in the children’s bedroom was associated with an increased risk factor for NAR. Source: Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology First Published in August 2011 |
