Occupational Asthma Reference
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Rasanen M, Laitinen T, Kaprio J, Koskenvuo M, Laitinen LA,
Hay fever, asthma and number of older siblings--a twin study,
Clin Exp Allergy,
1997;27:515-518,
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Keywords: twin, Finland, hay fever, asthma, prevalence, incidence
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that allergic sensitization is inversely related to the number of siblings in the family.
OBJECTIVES: To study whether a similar relation can be observed for hay fever and asthma among Finnish adolescents in a population with relatively low prevalence of atopic diseases.
METHODS: A questionnaire mailed to a nationwide sample of 1849 families with 16-year-old twins assessing the cumulative incidence of doctor-diagnosed hay fever and asthma among the adolescents and the number of older siblings in the family by parental report.
RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of hay fever was significantly lower among the adolescents with three or more older siblings (3.9%, 95% CI = 1.2-6.5%) compared with adolescents with fewer older siblings (12.7%, 95% CI = 11.4-14.0%). There was no difference in the cumulative incidence of asthma among the adolescents according to the number of older siblings in the family.
CONCLUSIONS: Large number of older siblings appears to be protective against the development of hay fever
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