Eva Östblom

Development and comorbidity of eczema, asthma and rhinitis to age 12 : data from the BAMSE birth cohort

Allergy‐related diseases are a public health issue, but knowledge on development and comorbidity among children is scarce. The aim was to study the development of eczema, asthma and rhinitis in relation to sex and parental allergy, in a population‐based cohort, during childhood.

IgE to peanut allergen components: relation to peanut symptoms and pollen sensitization in 8-year-olds

To cite this article: Asarnoj A, Movérare R, Östblom E, Poorafshar M, Lilja G, Hedlin G, van Hage M, Ahlstedt S, Wickman M. IgE to peanut allergen components: relation to peanut symptoms and pollen sensitization in 8‐year‐olds. Allergy 2010; 65: 1189–1195.

Selective IgA deficiency in early life: association to infections and allergic diseases during childhood.

Selective IgA deficiency in early life is quite common in Caucasian populations, but it is unclear whether it increases the risk of infections and allergic diseases during childhood. Serum IgA levels were measured in 2423 children at 4 years of age in a Swedish population based birth cohort (BAMSE). Parental questionnaires were repeatedly sent out during the childs first 8 years of life, collecting information about infections and allergic diseases. 14 children (1:173) were found to be IgA deficient at 4 years of age. These children had an increased risk of pseudocroup at year 1 (p<0.01) and food hypersensitivity at year 4 (p<0.05) as compared to IgA sufficient children. No increased risk was observed in the partial IgA deficiency group. The findings suggest that selective IgA deficiency may increase the risk of parentally reported pseudocroup and food hypersensitivity during early childhood.

Anaphylaxis and reactions to foods in children – a population-based case study of emergency department visits

Information about acute reactions to foods among children is limited.

Peanut component Ara h 8 sensitization and tolerance to peanut

BACKGROUND Isolated Ara h 8 sensitization is suggested to be associated with no or mild symptoms among peanut-sensitized subjects. OBJECTIVE We sought to investigate the occurrence of systemic reactions in children with isolated sensitization to Ara h 8. METHODS Participants were 144 children sensitized to Ara h 8 (≥ 0.35 kU(A)/L) but not to Ara h 1, Ara h 2, or Ara h 3 (<0.35 kU(A)/L). An open oral challenge with peanut was performed in those subjects who did not consume peanut regularly, and an extended IgE reactivity profile was obtained. If the child had a documented history of systemic reactions up to grade I anaphylaxis, double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenges were performed. RESULTS One hundred twenty-nine (89.5%) children were either peanut consumers or did not react to peanut challenge. Another 14 (9.7%) children experienced oral cavity symptoms at the first 2 but not subsequent challenge doses. At the time of the double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge, 1 boy with a previous mild systemic reaction to peanut experienced lip swelling, stomach cramping, and objective tiredness. Reanalysis of IgE levels showed an increase in peanut IgE levels from 1.5 to 8.8 kU(A)/L, but IgE levels to Ara h 8 remained stable and IgE levels to Ara h 1, Ara h 2, and Ara h 3 were all still less than 0.35 kU(A)/L. The IgE level to Ara h 6 was 0.45 kU(A)/L. CONCLUSION Isolated Ara h 8 sensitization indicates tolerance to peanuts in almost all cases. However, sensitization against thus far unidentified determinants in peanut might cause symptoms in rare cases.

The impact of food hypersensitivity reported in 9‐year‐old children by their parents on health‐related quality of life

Background:  There are only a few studies on the impact of food hypersensitivity (FHS) in children on health‐related quality of life (HRQL). The present study was designed to examine this impact in a population‐based birth cohort (BAMSE).

Phenotypes of food hypersensitivity and development of allergic diseases during the first 8 years of life

Background Longitudinal data from population‐based studies on the development and persistence of food hypersensitivity (FHS) during childhood are almost absent.

Reported symptoms to peanut between 4 and 8 years among children sensitized to peanut and birch pollen – results from the BAMSE birth cohort

To cite this article: Asarnoj A, Östblom E, Ahlstedt S, Hedlin G, Lilja G, van Hage M, Wickman M. Reported symptoms to peanut between 4 and 8 years among children sensitized to peanut and birch pollen – results from the BAMSE birth cohort. Allergy 2010; 65: 213–219.

Patterns of quantitative food-specific IgE-antibodies and reported food hypersensitivity in 4-year-old children

Background:  Diagnosis of food hypersensitivity (FHS) is difficult and interpretation of food allergy tests is complicated.

Sensitization to inhalant allergens between 4 and 8 years of age is a dynamic process: results from the BAMSE birth cohort

Background There is limited knowledge of the development of IgE‐antibody levels over time in childhood, with respect to persistency and co‐sensitization to specific inhalant allergens.