Neonatal vitamin A supplementation associated with increased atopy in girls. Issue 8 (18th May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Aage, S.; Kiraly, N.; Da Costa, K.; Byberg, S.; Bjerregaard‐Andersen, M.; Fisker, A. B.; Aaby, P.; Benn, C. S.
• Is Part Of: Allergy. Volume 70:Issue 8(2015:Aug.)
• Page Start: 985
• Page End: 994
• Publication Date: 2015-05-18
• Subjects: Allergy -- Periodicals; 616.97
• DOI: 10.1111/all.12641
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0105-4538

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="all12641-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="all12641-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Neonatal vitamin A supplementation (NVAS) is currently being considered as policy in countries at risk of deficiency. A previous study suggested that NVAS may be associated with increased atopy. We examined the effect of NVAS on atopy by conducting long‐term follow‐up of a previous randomized controlled trial in Guinea‐Bissau.</p> </sec> <sec id="all12641-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>In 2002–2004, we randomized 4345 normal birthweight neonates to NVAS (50 000 IU retinyl palmitate) or placebo together with their Bacillus Calmette–Guérin vaccination. In 2013, we visited the 1692 (39%) children now aged 8–10 years who were still living in the study area, and 1478 (87%) were found at home. Provided consent, a skin prick test was performed, and history of allergic symptoms was recorded. Associations of NVAS and atopy (defined as skin prick test reaction of ≥3 mm) were analysed using binomial regression.</p> </sec> <sec id="all12641-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Of the 1430 children with a valid skin prick test, 228 (16%) were positive (more boys (20%) than girls (12%), <italic>P</italic>‐value < 0.0001). NVAS did not increase the overall risk of atopy (RR 1.10 [95% CI 0.87–1.40]). However, NVAS was associated with significantly increased risk among females (RR 1.78 [1.17–2.72]) but not among males (0.86 [0.64–1.15], <italic>P</italic>‐value for interaction between NVAS and gender = 0.005). Furthermore, NVAS was associated with increased risk of wheezing among females (RR 1.80 [1.03–3.17], but not among males, <italic>P</italic>‐value for interaction = 0.05).</p> </sec> <sec id="all12641-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>The study corroborated previous observations; NVAS was associated with increased risk of atopy and wheezing, in this study only among females. Further studies on NVAS and atopy are warranted.</p> </sec> </abstract>