Prenatal and perinatal home environment and reported onset of wheeze, rhinitis and eczema symptoms in preschool children in Northern China.

Early life environment can affect asthma and allergies but few cohort studies on this issue are available from China. Our aim was to investigate reported onset of childhood wheeze, rhinitis and eczema symptoms in relation to prenatal, perinatal and postnatal home environment. Data on home environment and symptoms (ISAAC based questions) in first two years of life and in the past 12 months were reported by parents of the children (3-6 y) in a cross-sectional questionnaire survey in ten day care centers in Taiyuan, northern China (N = 3606). Changes of symptoms from the first 2 years of life to the past 12 months (recall period) were calculated retrospectively. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was applied. Reported onset of wheeze, rhinitis and eczema were 11.8%, 22.2% and 3.3%, respectively. Redecorating during pregnancy increased reported onset of rhinitis (OR = 2.29) and eczema (OR = 4.91). New furniture during pregnancy increased reported onset of rhinitis (OR = 1.47). Perinatal indoor mould increased reported onset of wheeze (OR = 1.51), rhinitis (OR = 1.65) and eczema (OR = 1.91). Perinatal mould odour increased reported onset of wheeze (OR = 1.85). Perinatal window pane condensation increased reported onset of wheeze (OR = 1.54) and rhinitis (OR = 1.24). Perinatal stuffy air and dry air in the home increased reported onset of all three symptoms (ORs 1.46-2.24). Dog keeping increased reported onset of wheeze (OR = 1.69) and eczema (OR = 2.13). Based on principal component analysis, four exposure scores were calculated (renovation, new furniture, mould and indoor air quality scores). Dose-response relationships were observed between these exposure scores and reported onset of symptoms. In conclusion, prenatal and postnatal exposure to emissions from renovation and new furniture can increase reported onset of childhood wheeze, rhinitis and eczema. Perinatal indoor mould, mould odour, condensation on window panes and impaired indoor air quality at home can be associated with reported development of wheeze, rhinitis and eczema in preschoolers in northern China.