Transient suppression of atopy in early childhood is associated with high vaccination coverage

Pediatrics. 2003 Mar;111(3):e282-8. doi: 10.1542/peds.111.3.e282.

Abstract

Objective: To analyze prevalences of allergic sensitization and atopic disease in relation to vaccination coverage.

Methods: A German atopy risk-enhanced birth cohort of 1314 neonates who were born in 1990 in 5 German cities was studied. A total of 943 children participated in the follow-up visit at 5 years of age. Atopic symptoms and diagnoses (derived from structured interviews), total serum immunoglobulin E, and specific immunoglobulin E against 9 common allergens (CAP Radio-Allergo-Sorbent Test Fluoro-Enzyme Immunoassay) were evaluated. Children were grouped into dose percentiles according to cumulative doses of any vaccine given up to 5 years of age (<10%, 0-11 doses; 10%-50%, 12-14 doses; 51%-90%, 15-20 doses; >90%, 21-27 doses).

Results: The cumulative vaccine dose was inversely related to atopic dermatitis prevalences at 6 months (13.8%, 5.2%, 5.1%, and 4.5%), 2 years (16.9%, 10.9%, 7.4%, and 3.7%), 3 years (27.6%, 16.4%, 13.5%, and 4.5%), and 5 years (28.3%, 16.0%, 9.3%, and 11.9%). Asthma followed a similar pattern at age 3 (22.4%, 8.6%, 6.7%, and 6.3%), age 4 (20.0%, 8.6%, 8.9%, and 8.1%), and age 5 (20.8%, 12.6%, 10.3%, and 5.5%). Allergic sensitization rates were inversely related to the cumulative vaccine dose at age 2 (37.5%, 29.1%, 23.8%, and 12.9%).

Conclusion: Children with a higher vaccination coverage seemed to be transiently better protected against development of atopy in the first years of life.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Asthma / immunology
  • Asthma / prevention & control
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / immunology
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / prevention & control
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Hypersensitivity / prevention & control*
  • Immunization Programs / statistics & numerical data*
  • Immunoglobulin E / analysis
  • Immunoglobulin E / immunology
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Radioallergosorbent Test
  • Vaccination / methods*
  • Vaccines / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Vaccines
  • Immunoglobulin E