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Biomedical subjects

N Aberg

Publications and source records attributed to N Aberg.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Increased levels of circulating soluble CD14 but not CD83 in infants are associated with early intestinal colonization with Staphylococcus aureus.

BACKGROUND: Soluble forms of the monocyte marker CD14 and the mature dendritic cell marker CD83 are plasma proteins with immunoregulatory functions. The physiological stimulus for their production is unclear and their possible role in allergy development is unknown. METHODS: We measured the plasma levels of soluble CD14 (sCD14) and soluble CD83 (sCD83) in 64 Swedish children in relation to intestinal bacterial colonization pattern in a prospective birth cohort. Soluble CD14 and sCD83 levels were quantified by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in plasma obtained at birth and at 4, 18 and 36 months of age. All major aerobic and anaerobic bacteria were quantified in faecal samples obtained regularly over the first 8 weeks of life. Clinical allergy and IgE levels were evaluated at 18 months of age. RESULTS: Soluble CD14 in plasma increased during the first 18 months of life while sCD83 peaked at 4 months of age. Children who were perinatally colonized with Staphylococcus aureus had significantly higher levels of sCD14 in plasma at 4 months of age relative to non-colonized children. The levels of sCD14 were unrelated to colonization with Escherichia coli, other enterobacteria, enterococci, clostridia, Bacteroides, bifidobacteria or lactobacilli. Further, children with food allergy by 18 months tended to have lower levels of sCD14 than healthy children. Plasma levels of sCD83 were not related to either bacterial colonization pattern or allergy development. CONCLUSIONS: Perinatal colonization with S. aureus may trigger the occurrence of sCD14 in plasma, which may influence development of the infantile immune system and risk of allergy development.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed2006

SIDS risk factors and factors associated with prone sleeping in Sweden.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the current prevalence of risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in Sweden with a decade earlier, and assess factors associated with prone sleeping. METHODS: The results of a cohort study (Infants of Western Sweden) and a population based case-control study (Nordic Epidemiological SIDS Study) were examined. Subjects were 5600 healthy 6 month old infants born in 2003 in the Western Sweden region and 430 healthy Swedish infants born between 1991 and 1995. RESULTS: Prone sleeping decreased from 31.8% to 5.6% and supine sleeping increased from 35.3% to 47.3%. Side or side/supine sleeping increased from 25.2% to 43.8%. Maternal smoking during pregnancy decreased from 23.5% to 9.5%. The risk for prone sleeping increased if the mother was unemployed (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.5 to 4.0), if she was a heavy smoker in the third trimester (OR 44.1, 95% CI 1.6 to 1199.6), and if the child was irritable (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.3 to 5.1), shared a bedroom with siblings (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.0 to 6.6), or never used a dummy (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.9 to 5.4). CONCLUSIONS: Parents have complied with advice to prevent SIDS given at infant welfare centres for the last 10 years. A change in the preferred sleeping position from side variants to exclusively supine, and reducing the number of pregnant women smoking may be beneficial. Use of a prone sleeping position was associated with maternal employment status, maternal smoking, temperament of the child, dummy use, and sharing a bedroom with siblings.

Bottle Feeding↗
PubMed2006

Day-care attendance and increased risk for respiratory and allergic symptoms in preschool age.

BACKGROUND: The reported impact of day-care attendance on respiratory and atopic symptoms has varied between studies from different countries. Regarding to the 'hygiene-hypothesis', day-care attendance may lead to less sensitization later in life, but the question still is whether day-care attendance and subsequent exposure to more frequent early infections is a risk or a protection against future allergic disease or asthma (atopic and nonatopic). METHODS: A cross-sectional postal questionnaire was replied by parents of 10,851 children, aged 1-6 years, in the year 2000 in a Swedish region (DBH-phase 1). The questionnaire focused on respiratory and atopic symptoms, the home environment and information on day care of the children. RESULTS: Children in day care were reported to have more symptoms than children in home care: adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for wheezing last 12 months, AOR 1.33 (CI 95%: 1.12-1.58), cough at night apart from colds last 12 months AOR 1.56 (CI: 1.17-2.07), doctor diagnosed asthma AOR 1.23 (CI: 0.88-1.71), rhinitis last 12 months AOR 1.15 (CI: 0.92-1.44), doctor diagnosed hay fever AOR 1.75 (CI: 0.94-3.23), eczema last 12 months, AOR 1.49 (CI: 1.24-1.79), allergic reactions to foods, AOR 1.27 (CI: 1.07-1.52), >6 colds last 12 months of 2.57 (CI: 2.12-3.12) and ear infection ever AOR 2.14 (CI: 1.87-2.45). The increased risks were mainly seen and reached significance in the youngest group of children, aged 1-4 years. Adjusting and stratification for the number of airway infections last year did not change the risk associated with day-care attendance for allergic diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Attending day care was associated with an increased risk of symptoms related to airways infections as well with eczema and allergic reactions to food. No sign of protection from day-care attendance for allergic diseases was found up to 6 years of age. Multiple airway infections and day-care attendance were found to be independently associated with asthma and allergic symptoms.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2005

'Dampness' at home and its association with airway, nose, and skin symptoms among 10,851 preschool children in Sweden: a cross-sectional study.

UNLABELLED: There is convincing epidemiological evidence that 'dampness' in buildings is associated with respiratory effects. In order to identify health-relevant exposures in buildings with 'dampness', the study 'Dampness in Buildings and Health' (DBH) was initiated. In the first step of the study, cross-sectional data on home characteristics including 'dampness' problems, and symptoms in airway, nose, and skin among 10,851 children (1-6 years), were collected by means of a questionnaire to the parents. The prevalence of wheezing during the last 12 months was 18.9% and doctor-diagnosed asthma 5.4%. Rhinitis during the last 12 months was reported for 11.1% of the children and eczema during the last 12 months 18.7%. Gender, allergic symptoms among parents, and age of the child were associated with symptoms. Water leakage was reported in 17.8% of the buildings, condensation on windows in 14.3%, and detached flooring materials in 8.3%. Visible mould or damp spots were reported in only 1.5% of the buildings. The four 'dampness' indices were associated to higher prevalence of symptoms in both crude and adjusted analysis. Furthermore, it was found that the combination of water leakage in the home and PVC as flooring material in the child's or parent's bedroom was associated to higher prevalence of symptoms among children. However, the interpretation of this finding is unclear. The combination of water leakage and PVC may be a proxy, for example, reconstruction because of water damages. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The study have showed that moisture-related problems in buildings are a risk factor for asthma and allergic symptoms among preschool children. The recommendation to the general public is to remediate damp buildings.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMed2003

High-dose exposure to cat is associated with clinical tolerance--a modified Th2 immune response?

BACKGROUND: Allergen-specific IgG4 antibodies, it is suggested, may be protecting against allergy development by blocking responses. Levels are proposed as a marker of modified Th2 response. OBJECTIVES: To assess the levels of IgE, IgG1 and IgG4 antibodies to cat in relation to cat exposure, asthma and allergic diseases. METHODS: We studied a population-based sample of 412 schoolchildren of 12-13 years of age. Parents of 402 children completed a questionnaire covering their child's medical history, the keeping of cats and other background data. Skin prick tests (SPTs) to common aeroallergens were performed in 371 of the children. Blood samples for the analyses of IgE, IgG1 and IgG4 antibodies were obtained from 309 of them. RESULTS: All children had an immune response to cat, predominantly of the IgG1 subclass. The levels of cat-specific IgG1 and IgG4, but not IgE, were high in children currently keeping a cat. Children with asthma had increased levels of cat-specific IgE and IgG1, and children with a positive SPT to cat also had increased IgG4. The presence of IgG4 was not associated with asthma or sensitization, unless there was a simultaneous production of IgE. Twenty-five percent of the children had an immune response with only IgG4, and no IgE antibodies to cat. This group of children had the highest frequency of cat-keeping, but a similar prevalence of asthma and allergy as those with neither IgE nor IgG4 antibodies to cat. CONCLUSION: Cat-keeping was associated with a modified Th2 response, producing IgG4 but not IgE antibodies. This immune response was not associated with an increased risk of asthma or allergy. However, the IgG4 antibodies did not directly mediate any protective effect.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Born small for gestational age: relation to future allergy and asthma.

AIM: To evaluate whether intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) protects against the development of allergy. METHODS: A case-control study of 1515 subjects (15-25 y), of whom 430 were cases (birthweight/length below -2 SD for gestational age). Birth data were from the national birth register. The frequencies of allergic diseases were evaluated by questionnaire. RESULTS: For the 950 who replied, the frequencies of allergic diseases were similar in cases and controls. CONCLUSION: IUGR does not protect against the development of allergy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, eczema, and sensitization in two areas with differing climates.

In this 5-year follow-up study we compared the prevalence of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, eczema, and sensitization, in relation to several background factors, in two Swedish regions (Göteborg and Kiruna). In Göteborg, a city on the southwest coast, the climate is mild and humid. Kiruna is a town north of the Arctic Circle. Questionnaire replies and results of interviews were collected from all 412 7-8-year-old children of a population-based sample (203 in Göteborg and 209 in Kiruna); in addition, 192 children from Göteborg and 205 from Kiruna were skin-prick tested for sensitization to common aero-allergens. After 5 years, at 12-13 years of age, almost all of the initial study cohort were re-investigated. At follow-up the prevalence of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis was 17%, eczema 23%, and sensitization 32%. Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema were as common in Göteborg as in Kiruna, whereas sensitization was far more common in Kiruna. Children born during the pollen season had allergic rhinoconjunctivitis less often -- and were sensitized to pollen and animal protein less often -- than those born during the rest of the year. Sensitization to birch pollen, cat protein, and horse protein was less common in children living in Göteborg, the region with the highest frequency of cat ownership and horseback riding, and with the longest birch-pollen season. The girls were more commonly horseback riders but the boys were more often sensitized to horses. The results reinforce our previous findings: indoor climate may affect the development of sensitization and allergic diseases, to some extent independently; and if exposure to antigen is unavoidable, high doses might be better than low doses.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Asthma in children: prevalence, treatment, and sensitization.

This study compares the prevalence of asthma and sensitization in children from two Swedish regions with different climates: Göteborg on the southwest coast and Kiruna in the northern inland, north of the Arctic Circle. The 412 children of a population-based sample, 203 in Göteborg and 209 in Kiruna, were investigated at age 7-8 and 12-13 years. Questionnaire reports and interviews were obtained from all children at 7-8 years of age, and 192 children were skin-prick tested for common aeroallergens in Göteborg and 205 in Kiruna. At the follow-up, 5 years later, almost all the children were re-investigated. The prevalence of asthma, wheeze, and sensitization had increased with increasing age during the follow-up period. The questionnaire reports revealed that the prevalence of asthma was 8.5% at 12-13 years of age. All children who in the questionnaire reported current asthma, were using asthma medication. The interviews indicated that the prevalence of a clinically significant asthma might be even higher, reaching approximately 12%. Asthma and wheeze were as common in Göteborg as in Kiruna despite large differences in prevalence of sensitization. Sensitization, and especially sensitization to animals, was far more common in Kiruna than in Göteborg. This study shows that asthma and wheeze are increasingly prevalent even in school age children and that sensitization does not necessarily reflect the prevalence of asthma in a population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Migration and atopic disorder in Swedish conscripts.

We have studied asthma and allergic rhinitis prevalence in Swedish conscripts born 1973-1977 according to the military service conscription register in relation to the socio-economic status and country of birth of the conscripts and their parents, and age when granted residency in Sweden. There was an increase in prevalence of asthma and allergic rhinitis over time in all groups irrespective of country of birth or ethnic origin. Conscripts who themselves were born in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Mediterranean had a significantly lower risk for asthma and allergic rhinitis than Swedish-born conscripts. The risk of atopic disorder among the foreign-born conscripts increased with time of residency in Sweden. Conscripts with mothers from Latin America, Asia and Africa were identified as having the highest risk for atopic disorder among Swedish-born conscripts with high socio-economic status; the adjusted risk ratio (RR) for asthma was 2.6 (95% CI 1.7-4.0) and that for allergic rhinitis was 2.0 (1.5-2.6). The conscripts with mothers from the Mediterranean had the lowest risk for atopic disorders of the Swedish-born conscripts with low socio-economic status; the RR for asthma was 0.43 (0.34-0.56) and that for allergic rhinitis was 0.84 (0.76-0.93). This study demonstrates that factors related to migration and ethnicity are important determinants of atopic disorder among Swedish conscripts.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Does early exposure to cat or dog protect against later allergy development?

BACKGROUND: It is unknown which factors in modern western society that have caused the current increase in prevalence of allergic diseases. Improved hygiene, smaller families, altered exposure to allergens have been suggested. OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationship between exposure to pets in early life, family size, allergic manifestations and allergic sensitization at 7-9 and 12-13 years of age. METHODS: The prevalence of allergic diseases and various background factors were assessed in 1991 and 1996 by questionnaire studies. In 1991, the study comprised representative samples of children from the Göteborg area on the Swedish west coast (7 years old, n = 1649) and the inland town Kiruna in northern Sweden (7-9 years old, n = 832). In 1992, a validation interview and skin prick test (SPT) were performed in a stratified sub-sample of 412 children. In 1996, this subgroup was followed up with identical questions about clinical symptoms as in 1991, detailed questions about early pet exposure were added and SPT performed. RESULTS: Children exposed to pets during the first year of life had a lower frequency of allergic rhinitis at 7-9 years of age and of asthma at 12-13 years. Children exposed to cat during the first year of life were less often SPT positive to cat at 12-13 years. The results were similar when those children were excluded, whose parents had actively decided against pet keeping during infancy because of allergy in the family. There was a negative correlation between the number of siblings and development of asthma and allergic rhinitis. CONCLUSION: Pet exposure during the first year of life and increasing number of siblings were both associated with a lower prevalence of allergic rhinitis and asthma in school children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Prevalence of allergic diseases in schoolchildren in relation to family history, upper respiratory infections, and residential characteristics.

The prevalences of asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR), and eczema were analyzed in relation to retrospective risk factors from birth in a questionnaire study of schoolchildren in two areas covering the whole climatic span of Sweden: the Göteborg area on the southwestern coast (7-year-olds, n = 1649) and Kiruna, a mining town in the northernmost inland mountains (7-9-year-olds, n = 832). The strongest background factor, a family history of the diseases, was more common in children with another strong risk factor, particularly for asthma: high frequency of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). Other significant risk factors related to high indoor humidity caused an increased prevalence of both allergic diseases and URTI. Active mechanical ventilation of the homes caused a slight reduction of the prevalence of allergic diseases, and repainting or new wallpaper in the bedroom of the child after birth caused a moderately increased risk of allergic disease. This study illustrates the interaction between genetic and environmental risk factors with special emphasis on factors related to an unventilated indoor climate, which may have substantially contributed to the current increase of the diseases in the country.

Child↗
PubMed1996

The effect of inhaled and intranasal sodium cromoglycate on symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections.

BACKGROUND: A well established drug for the treatment of asthma and allergy, sodium cromoglycate, was found in open trials to be useful as a symptomatic treatment for upper respiratory tract infections. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of inhaled and intranasal sodium cromoglycate and matching placebos on the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections. METHODS: Adult subjects with symptoms of runny nose, throat pain, or cough for less than 24 h were recruited. They were treated for 7 days using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, group comparative design. The medication given was: sodium cromoglycate dry powder 20 mg per inhalation in spincaps; sodium cromoglycate aqueous nasal spray delivering 5.2 mg per dose; or matching placebo as dry powder and nasal spray. One spincap and one spray per nostril were taken every 2 h during waking hours on days 1 and 2 and then four times daily on days 3-7. Severity of nine symptoms (general malaise, body aches and pains, chills and shivering, sneezing, nasal running, nasal blocking, sore throat, cough and voice disturbance) was recorded twice daily by subjects on diary cards, using a scale of 0 (absent) to 3 (severe). RESULTS: The study was conducted between February and April 1993. One hundred and eighteen patients aged 21-63 years (mean 41 years) were included. Symptoms resolved faster (P < 0.001) and the severity in the last three days of treatment was significantly less in patients treated with sodium cromoglycate than with placebo (P < 0.05-day 5; P < 0.01-day 6; P < 0.001-day 7). Side effects were local and mild and did not differ between the treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Sodium cromoglycate administered both by inhalation and intranasally is an effective treatment for the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection. Its combined safety and efficacy would make it an acceptable form of treatment for these conditions.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1995

Increase of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema in Swedish schoolchildren between 1979 and 1991.

BACKGROUND: A previous study has shown a twofold increase in prevalence of asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR) in Swedish recruits during the 1970s. The increase was higher in more northerly colder regions. OBJECTIVES: To follow up the previously found trend to increasing prevalences with time as well as the climatic variations within the country. METHODS: The prevalences of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema were assessed using two questionnaire studies, 12 years apart (1979 and 1991) with identical questions about the diseases. The study comprised representative samples of children from the Göteborg area on the south-western coast (in 1979: 7-year-olds, n = 4255, in 1991: 7-year-olds, n = 1649) and in Kiruna, a mining town in the northernmost inland mountains (in 1979: 7-year-olds, n = 427, in 1991: 7-9-year-olds, n = 832). In 1991 there was also a personal interview and a skin-prick test (SPT) on subsamples. RESULTS: The prevalence of all these diseases present over the last year had roughly doubled over the 12-year period. On both occasions, most symptoms were more prevalent in the northern area. In 1991, the prevalence of one or more symptoms in Göteborg was 23.8% and 32.5% and in Kiruna 29.9% and 44.8% in the questionnaire and the interview, respectively. CONCLUSION: Asthma, AR and eczema increase continuously in prevalence in Sweden and the climatic distribution of the prevalences suggests possible major risk factors to be found in a closed indoor climate.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Respiratory resistance and transcutaneous PO2 during histamine provocation in children with bronchial asthma.

Bronchial reactivity was assessed in 66 children with bronchial asthma (aged 8-15 years) by provocation with histamine-HCl during a symptom-free period. A significant bronchial reaction to histamine was defined as a 50% increase in the resistance of the respiratory system (Rrs) determined by the forced oscillation technique. The provocative dose causing a 50% increase in the Rrs (PD50Rrs) was interpolated from the log dose-response curve. The mean PD50Rrs was significantly lower in children with asthma (0.22 mg/mL) compared with a group of healthy children in the same age range (1.55 mg/mL) (P < 0.001). In children with clinically severe asthma, the mean PD50Rrs was lower (0.13 mg/mL) than in children with mild asthma (0.34 mg/mL) (P < 0.001). Transcutaneous PO2 (PtcO2) was monitored in 25 of the children with asthma. In this group the proportion of mild and severe asthma, the baseline lung function variables, and the PD50Rrs were not significantly different from those of the whole group of children. During the reaction, the PtcO2 fell on average by 29% of the baseline value (P < 0.001); in 88% of the children, the fall in PtcO2 was 20% or more of the baseline value. We conclude that histamine provocation tests using the forced oscillation technique and transcutaneous PO2 to assess a bronchial reaction have a good discriminatory capacity for different degrees of clinical severity of asthma in children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Familial occurrence of atopic disease: genetic versus environmental factors.

Cumulative life prevalence of atopic disease (any of reported symptoms of asthma/wheezy bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, eczema and urticaria) was studied by means of a questionnaire in 19814 (7-, 10- and 14-year-old) Swedish school children and their parents. Maternal history was found to be twice as common as paternal history. The children of affected mothers contracted atopic disease in the same proportion as the children of affected fathers yielding twice as many affected children with affected mothers than with affected fathers. The strongest parental influence on childhood disease was seen for multiple symptoms and for congruent symptoms with both parents. The number of children with both parents affected was 1.6 times larger than expected. A possible dose-response effect in polygenic inheritance is discussed as well as assumed impact of environmental factors with a tendency to familial clustering.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Natural history of allergic diseases in children.

Questionnaire data from 1335 14-year-old children with a history of past or present asthma, allergic rhinitis or eczema were analysed regarding age at onset and cessation of symptoms. Incidence of asthma and eczema was highest during the first years of life. Early incidence of asthma was higher in boys than in girls but the sex ratio equalized gradually during childhood. Early incidence of eczema was equal between the sexes but the proportion of girls increased gradually with later age at onset. In 24% of the children more than one symptom was found. Cessation of symptoms was common in asthma (55%), in particular in those with early onset (74%), but less common in eczema (34%). Cessation of symptoms was less common in both diseases when associated with other allergic symptoms. Incidence of allergic rhinitis was fairly constant during childhood and cessation of symptoms was uncommon. A high risk of allergic airways disease was found after early eczema.

Adolescent↗