Faltering of prenatal growth precedes the development of atopic eczema in infancy: cohort study
Year: 2018
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Infants with atopic eczema have an increased risk of impaired growth, but the origin of this impairment is unclear. The aim of this study was to examine fetal and infant growth in relation to infantile atopic eczema. Methods: Within the UK Southampton Women’s Survey, 1,759 infants with known maternal menstrual data had anthropometric measurements at 11, 19, and 34 weeks’ gestation, birth, and ages 6 and 12 months, enabling derivation of growth velocity SD scores. Infantile atopic eczema at ages 6 and/or 12 months was ascertained using modified UK Working Party diagnostic criteria. Results: Expressed per SD increase, higher femur length and abdominal circumference at 34 weeks’ gestation were associated with decreased risks of atopic eczema (eczema OR/SD increase 0.81 [95% CI 0.69–0.96], P =0.017 and 0.78 [95% CI 0.65–0.93], P =0.006, respectively), while every SD increase in head to abdominal circumference ratio (indicating disproportionate growth) was associated with an increase in risk of atopic eczema (1.37 [1.15–1.63], P =0.001). Lower velocities of linear growth from 11 weeks’ gestation to birth and birth to age 6 months were associated with atopic eczema (atopic eczema OR/SD increase 0.80 [0.65–0.98], P =0.034 and 0.8 [1 0.66–1.00], P =0.051, respectively). Infants with atopic eczema at age 12 months had a larger head circumference in early gestation and faltering of abdominal growth velocity from 19 to 34 weeks’ gestation (atopic eczema OR/SD increase 0.67 [0.51–0.88], P =0.003). Conclusion: Infants with atopic eczema demonstrate altered patterns of fetal growth, including faltering of linear growth in utero, prior to the clinical onset of atopic eczema. These findings suggest growth falters prior to the start of clinical atopic eczema and its treatment. Keywords: atopic eczema, fetal growth, infant growth
Source: Clinical Epidemiology
DOI: 10.2147/clep.s175878
Language: English
Subfield: Dermatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,836
Funders: University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, National Institute for Health and Care Research, British Heart Foundation, National Osteoporosis Society, British Lung Foundation, University of Southampton, University of Oxford, European Commission, International Osteoporosis Foundation, Versus Arthritis, National Institute for Health Research Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, Medical Research Council, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Awards: G1277089031, Vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy: A systematic review, Food-based solutions for Optimal vitamin D Nutrition and health through the life cycle, G2473961061, G3207356259, NIHR Senior Investigator Award, G3720057038, G393177772, Handheld microindentation - a direct assessment of bone fracture risk, G462585257, Sarcopenia, Frailty and Clinical Practice in Older People, RENEWAL: Maternal and epigenetic determinants of cardiovascular structure and function, NIHR Senior Investigator Award, G5605571342, G5702163051, Epigenetic biomarkers and determinants of cardiovascular risk in children, G6219046052, G6311171946, Lifecourse Determinants of Bone and Joint Disease, NIHR Senior Investigator Award, G7205176862, Nutrition, Development and Lifelong Health: Studies in European Populations, Maternal vitamin B12, folic acid and homocysteine as determinants of gestational diabetes, fetal growth and intergenerational programming of diabesity, Long-term effects of early nutrition on later health
OpenAlex ID: W2904019398