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

Acta Paediatr. 2002;91(9):992-4. doi: 10.1080/080352502760272713.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Asthma / epidemiology*
  • Asthma / immunology
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child Development / physiology
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Disease Susceptibility / epidemiology*
  • Disease Susceptibility / immunology
  • Female
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / epidemiology*
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Incidence
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Small for Gestational Age / immunology*
  • Male
  • Odds Ratio
  • Prognosis
  • Reference Values
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Sweden / epidemiology