Potential determinants of T helper 2 markers and their distribution in school-aged children

BACKGROUND

There is growing data on T helper 2 (Th2) biomarker determinants in adult populations. However, the determinants and typical range of these biomarkers have not been well studied in general populations of children. Therefore, we assessed the determinants and typical range of three Th2 biomarkers, including blood eosinophils, FeNO, and serum total IgE in 9-11-year-old children in a prospective birth cohort.

METHODS

We examined the pre- and postnatal factors associated with Th2 biomarkers using multivariable logistic regression analysis (n = 428) and extended the results to the original cohort (n = 17,009) using inverse probability weighting. We also measured typical Th2 biomarker distribution in all examined children and healthy participants without allergic diseases (n = 180).

RESULTS

At age 9-11, wheeze (odds ratio (OR) 7.63), rhinitis (OR 3.14), and eczema (OR 2.46) were significantly associated with increased blood eosinophils. All three allergic conditions were associated with FeNO and total serum IgE, but the ORs were smaller than those for blood eosinophils. Secondhand smoking was inversely associated with the blood eosinophils (OR, 0.38). Similar results were found in the original cohort. Male sex and prenatal factors (maternal smoking and parental history of allergies) were not independent predictors of high Th2 levels.

CONCLUSIONS

In addition to wheezing and rhinitis, eczema and secondhand smoke exposure are independent factors for Th2 biomarker interpretation in children. Furthermore, the typical values and cutoff values of blood eosinophils in adults may not be applicable to children.

Perinatal and family factors associated with preadolescence overweight/obesity in Greece: the GRECO study

OBJECTIVE

To explore associations of perinatal and family factors with preadolescence overweight and obesity in a sample of Greek schoolchildren.

METHODS

A nationwide cross-sectional study among 2093 students (10.9 ± 0.72 years, 44.9% boys) and their parents were conducted. Anthropometric (e.g., height, weight, mother's body mass index (BMI) at the time of the study and at conception), socio-demographic (e.g., age, education, socio-economic status), diet and other major lifestyle characteristics (e.g., smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity and inactivity) and perinatal factors (e.g., breast- and formula-feeding) were collected with validated questionnaires. Height and weight of students were measured. Overweight/obesity was classified using IOTF cut-offs. Multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses were used to identify major independent factors of overweight/obesity among preadolescents and factors related with the percentage change of mother's BMI, respectively.

RESULTS

Increased age at pregnancy [odds ratios (OR)=0.95, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.93-0.97], higher BMI at conception (OR=1.17, 95% CI: 1.12-1.22) and heavy smoking (OR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.23-3.33) were positively associated with child's overweight/obesity status. Moreover, mother's age and TV viewing, indicating inactivity, were the strongest factors of the percentage increase in mother's BMI (b ± se = 0.23 ± 0.07, p = 0.002; b ± se=0.32 ± 0.10, p = 0.002, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Preadolescent obesity is associated with mother's pre-pregnancy weight, age and heavy smoking at conception and mother's BMI change after gestation.