Associations between parental health, early life factors and asthma, rhinitis and eczema among pre-school children in Chongqing, China

Purpose: To study associations between parental health and children’s asthma, rhinitis and eczema.

Methods: Parents of 3-6 years old children from randomized kindergartens in Chongqing, China answered a questionnaire on parents’ history of asthma/allergies, current symptoms and children’ doctor-diagnosed asthma and rhinitis, wheeze, cough, rhinitis and eczema. Associations were analyzed by multiple logistic regression.

Results: Among 4250 children (response rate: 74.5%), 8.4% had doctor-diagnosed asthma (DD asthma); 6.2% doctor-diagnosed allergic rhinitis (DD rhinitis); 20.4% current wheeze; 19.4% cough; 37.9% rhinitis and 13.6% eczema. Among reporting parents (females 70.4%, males 20.6% ), 16.2% were smokers; 47.4% had any current rhinitis; 54.2% cough; 47.8% skin symptoms; 70.5% fatigue and 48.7% headache.

Parental asthma or allergy was associated with children’s DD asthma (OR=3.64) and DD rhinitis (OR=4.23). The associations were stronger for paternal asthma or allergy. Children of mothers who were salespersons during pregnancy had more rhinitis (OR=1.49), and children of white-collar worker mothers had more DD (OR=1.49) and DD rhinitis (OR=1.92). Rural children had less DD rhinitis and current rhinitis. Parental current symptoms were associated with wheeze, cough, rhinitis and eczema among the children with OR ranging from 1.37 to 2.28 (all p<0.001).

Conclusions: Parental asthma or allergy can be a risk factor for children’s asthma or allergy, especially paternal asthma or allergy. Growing up in rural areas can be beneficial for rhinitis. Mothers’ occupations during pregnancy may influence asthma and rhinitis in offspring. In studies on children’s asthma or allergies, based on parental reporting, parents’ current symptoms may influence the results.