Prenatal secondhand smoke exposure is associated with atopic dermatitis
in school-aged children: COCOA study
Abstract
Background: The effect of prenatal secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure on
childhood atopic dermatitis (AD) remains controversial. We aimed to
investigate the association between prenatal SHS and childhood AD in a
general population-based birth cohort. Methods: Patients included 2,360
mother–child pairs from the Cohort for Childhood Origin of Asthma and
Allergic diseases (COCOA), stratified into 0–3, 4–6, and 7–9 years
age groups. Prenatal SHS exposure was assessed using questionnaires. AD
diagnosis and symptom assessments were conducted through annual visits
by pediatric allergists. Skin prick tests for 18 allergens were
conducted. Serum total IgE and eosinophil levels were measured at birth
and ages 3 and 7 years. Maternal urine cotinine concentrations were
measured at week 36 of gestation. Multivariate logistic regression was
performed. Results: Children aged 7–9 years exposed to prenatal SHS
were significantly more likely to have an AD diagnosis (aOR 1.670, 95%
CI: 0.995–2.804) and current AD (aOR 1.823, 95% CI: 1.051–3.161).
This association in AD diagnosis was stronger in children with
sensitization (aOR 2.205, 95% CI: 1.048–4.642). Higher maternal urine
cotinine levels increased the risk of current AD at ages 4–6 (aOR
2.816, 95% CI: 1.053–7.529). Children exposed to prenatal SHS were
more likely to have a late-onset phenotype of AD (aOR 1.663, 95% CI:
1.038–2.664). Conclusion: SHS exposure during pregnancy was associated
with late childhood AD. Prevention of prenatal SHS exposure is necessary
to reduce the risk of AD in schoolchildren.