ISSN:
1365-2222
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Twice as many boys as girls are prone to wheeze (15·3% compared with 7%). This study examines the possible immunological basis for this phenomenon. There were 1064 children in this survey. The family of each wheezy child was indexed, and a control sample of families was selected. At least 85% of the study population were skin tested for Type 1 allergic reactions. An interval survey of values for FEV1, FVC and PEFR against height was completed.Of 118 wheezy subjects there were 83/542 boys and 35/522 girls. Single and multiple sensitivity, the capacity to react to two or more major allergens, is examined. Of the child asthmatics, significant differences from controls emerge for pollens, foods and the house dust mite. These differences are borne out with multiple sensitivity. (P 〉 0·001.) Of the brothers and sisters of asthmatics, only the sisters show differences from controls. This is true for grass pollen, cow's milk and the house dust mite, and also to a highly significant degree for multiple sensitivity (P 〉 0·001). When the incidence of multiple sensitivity is expressed for all children in the asthma group, that is, cases and their siblings, the sex difference is not demonstrable. The mothers (P 〉 0·05) and fathers (P 〉 0·01), of asthmatics also differ from control parents in respect of skin sensitivity.If multiple sensitivity is equated with atopy, it may not be the main determinant of the capacity to wheeze, and thus of the sex difference.The mean curve for interval PEFR for asthmatic children was significantly lower than that of control children and of the brothers and sisters of asthmatics.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2222.1976.tb01913.x
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