Pets at birth do not increase allergic disease in at-risk children

Abstract

Background: The literature is contradictory concerning pet exposure and risk of allergic disease in childhood especially among those with a family history of allergy. Objective: To investigate the relationship between cat and dog exposure at birth and allergic outcomes over the first 12 years in a birth cohort selected for familial allergy. Methods: A prospective birth cohort of 620 infants with a family history of allergic diseases was recruited. Data on pet keeping, family demographics and cord blood samples were collected at birth. Information on childhood wheeze, eczema and hay fever was collected 18 times in the first 2 years, at 7 years and at 12 years. Skin prick tests were conducted ..