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Maternal Stressful Life Events during Pregnancy and Atopic Dermatitis in Children Aged Approximately 4–6 Years

Author

Listed:
  • Camilla C. Senter

    (Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA)

  • Nicole R. Bush

    (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
    Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA)

  • Christine T. Loftus

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA)

  • Adam A. Szpiro

    (Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA)

  • Annette L. Fitzpatrick

    (Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
    Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
    Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA)

  • Kecia N. Carroll

    (Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA)

  • Kaja Z. LeWinn

    (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA)

  • W. Alex Mason

    (Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA)

  • Sheela Sathyanarayana

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
    Center for Child Health, Behavior, and Development, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA)

  • Oluwatobiloba A. Akingbade

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA)

  • Catherine J. Karr

    (Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
    Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
    Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA)

Abstract

The prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) in children has steadily increased over time, yet it remains largely unknown how maternal factors during pregnancy are associated with child AD. Few studies have specifically assessed the relationship between prenatal stress and child AD, with inconsistent findings. In this prospective cohort study following 426 mother-child dyads from pregnancy to middle childhood, women reported stressful life events (SLEs) experienced during the 12 months before delivery and AD outcomes in children aged approximately 4–6 years, including current, location-specific, and ever AD. We used Poisson regression to estimate risk ratios (RRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) associated with a 1-unit increase in prenatal SLEs, adjusting for potential confounders. We also assessed whether the association between prenatal SLEs and child AD was modified by child sex, history of maternal atopy, or prenatal maternal resilient coping. The mean (standard deviation) of prenatal SLEs reported in the overall sample was 1.4 (1.6), with 37.1% of women reporting none. A 1-unit increase in prenatal SLEs was not significantly associated with current AD (RR: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.89, 1.31), location-specific AD (RR: 1.09, 95% CI: 0.78, 1.52), or ever AD (RR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.87, 1.09). We did not find evidence of effect modification. Findings from this study suggest no association between prenatal SLEs and AD in middle childhood, although larger longitudinal studies with enhanced case definition and higher variability of SLE experience may more fully inform this question.

Suggested Citation

  • Camilla C. Senter & Nicole R. Bush & Christine T. Loftus & Adam A. Szpiro & Annette L. Fitzpatrick & Kecia N. Carroll & Kaja Z. LeWinn & W. Alex Mason & Sheela Sathyanarayana & Oluwatobiloba A. Akingb, 2021. "Maternal Stressful Life Events during Pregnancy and Atopic Dermatitis in Children Aged Approximately 4–6 Years," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-13, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:18:p:9696-:d:635695
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