Kumiko Mukaida

Breastfeeding and the prevalence of allergic diseases in schoolchildren: Does reverse causation matter?

Kusunoki T, Morimoto T, Nishikomori R, Yasumi T, Heike T, Mukaida K, Fujii T, Nakahata T. Breastfeeding and the prevalence of allergic diseases in schoolchildren: Does reverse causation matter?
Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: 60–66.
© 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S

Birth order effect on childhood food allergy

To cite this article: Kusunoki T, Mukaida K, Morimoto T, Sakuma M, Yasumi T, Nishikomori R, Heike T. Birth order effect on childhood food allergy. Pediatric Allergy Immunology 2012: 23: 250–254.

The Effect of Past Food Avoidance Due to Allergic Symptoms on the Growth of Children at School Age

BACKGROUND The influence of food avoidance due to allergic symptoms in infancy on the growth of children at school age has not been well evaluated. METHODS To determine the growth of schoolchildren who avoided eggs, milk, or wheat due to immediate allergic symptoms in infancy (food avoiders in infancy) (FAI), a questionnaire on the presence of allergic diseases, as well as present height and weight, was administered to the parents of 14,669 schoolchildren. 11,473 subjects had available data. The height and weight standard deviation scores (HtSDS and WtSDS) and body mass index percentile (BMI percentile) of each subject were calculated. RESULTS FAI had significantly lower WtSDS than non-FAI (P = 0.01). Among those with avoidance at age 3 years, those who avoided two or more foods and those who avoided milk had significantly lower HtSDS than their counterparts (P = 0.02 and 0.04, respectively). FAI had a significantly lower prevalence of obesity (P = 0.01) and overweight (P = 0.002), while there was no difference in the prevalence of underweight (P = 0.58), resulting in a significantly higher prevalence of appropriate weight (P = 0.01) compared to non-FAI. Significantly lower prevalence of obesity and overweight was observed even among those who terminated the avoidance by age 3 years. CONCLUSIONS FAI were less likely to be obese or overweight, resulting in a higher prevalence of appropriate weight at school age. Further investigation should contribute to better management of food allergy and obesity.

Effect of eczema on the association between season of birth and food allergy in Japanese children

Food allergy (FA) in childhood has been shown to be more prevalent in those born in autumn and winter. The mechanisms of this season‐of‐birth effect remain unclear, although shortage of vitamin D during infancy has been considered one possible mechanism. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of eczema on the season‐of‐birth effect on FA in infancy.

Total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels are associated with atopy in schoolchildren.

Analysis of general childhood population data showed that there was a significant positive association between total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and atopy, independent of obesity or sex, which suggest a relationship between hyperlipidemia and greater allergic sensitization among schoolchildren.

Sports activities enhance the prevalence of rhinitis symptoms in schoolchildren.

To evaluate the association between sports activities and allergic symptoms, especially rhinitis, among schoolchildren.

Translation and linguistic validation of the Allergy-CONTROL-ScoreTM for use in Japan.

BACKGROUND Symptom and medication scores are recommended to measure the primary outcome on allergies. The Allergy Control Score was proved to be a valid and reliable instrument to assess allergy severity in clinical trials and may be used in observational studies of respiratory allergic diseases in many countries. We translated the Allergy Control Score and adapted it for use in Japan. METHODS We translated the original English version into Japanese according to the Mapi approach to linguistic validation: conceptual definition, forward translation by two native Japanese speakers, reconciliation, back-translation by an independent translator, review in consultation with original developer, and pilot testing on 12 patients of an allergy clinic and 3 volunteers with seasonal/non-seasonal allergic rhinitis and/or asthma. RESULTS Two of the ten back-translated items needed slight modifications and some words were revised. In the pilot test, the average time required to complete the questionnaire was 55 seconds for the section on symptoms and 25 seconds for the section on medication. All participants were able to self-complete the questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS By applying the Mapi approach to linguistic validation, we ensured a close match between the Japanese and English versions of the Allergy Control Score. The Allergy Control Score Japanese version is accessible and acceptable to persons with respiratory allergic symptoms in Japan.BACKGROUND Symptom and medication scores are recommended to measure the primary outcome on allergies. The Allergy Control Score was proved to be a valid and reliable instrument to assess allergy severity in clinical trials and may be used in observational studies of respiratory allergic diseases in many countries. We translated the Allergy Control Score and adapted it for use in Japan. METHODS We translated the original English version into Japanese according to the Mapi approach to linguistic validation: conceptual definition, forward translation by two native Japanese speakers, reconciliation, backtranslation by an independent translator, review in consultation with original developer, and pilot testing on 12 patients of an allergy clinic and 3 volunteers with seasonal/non-seasonal allergic rhinitis and/or asthma. RESULTS Two of the ten back-translated items needed slight modifications and some words were revised. In the pilot test, the average time required to complete the questionnaire was 55 seconds for the section on symptoms and 25 seconds for the section on medication. All participants were able to self-complete the questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS By applying the Mapi approach to linguistic validation, we ensured a close match between the Japanese and English versions of the Allergy Control Score. The Allergy Control Score Japanese version is accessible and acceptable to persons with respiratory allergic symptoms in Japan.