Over-the-counter drug use--estimations within the Swedish paediatric population.

We have used three different sources to estimate the use of drugs sold over the counter (OTC) by the Swedish paediatric population during 2007-2008 as part of a European evaluation initiated by the European Medicines Agency. An estimation of the paediatric use from the total numbers of over-the-counter drugs (OTCD) packages sold by Swedish pharmacies and analyses of two separate questionnaires directed towards a population of 11- to 14-year-old children and another towards visitors to one of the paediatric emergency wards in Stockholm County were included in the study. In Sweden, 1.

Antibiotic use in early life and development of allergic diseases: respiratory infection as the explanation.

Background: Early antibiotic use has been postulated to increase the development of allergic disease. Antibiotic use results from infection. Early infection may play a confounding role in the relationship between antibiotic use and allergic disease.

Breast-feeding in relation to asthma, lung function, and sensitization in young schoolchildren.

Background: The evidence from previous studies on beneficial effects of breast-feeding in relation to development of asthma is conflicting.

Objective: To investigate the relation between breast-feeding and asthma and/or sensitization during the first 8 years of life.

Method: In a birth cohort, children were followed up to 8 years by questionnaires at ages 2 months and 1, 2, 4, and 8 years to collect information on exposures and health effects.

MMP12, lung function, and COPD in high-risk populations.

Background: Genetic variants influencing lung function in children and adults may ultimately lead to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), particularly in high-risk groups.

Methods: We tested for an association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene encoding matrix metalloproteinase 12 (MMP12) and a measure of lung function (prebronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV(1)]) in more than 8300 subjects in seven cohorts that included children and adults. Within the Normative Aging Study (NAS), a cohort of initially healthy adult men, we tested for an association between SNPs that were associated with FEV(1) and the time to the onset of COPD.

Cat sensitization identified by recombinant Fel d 1 several years before symptoms--results from the BAMSE cohort.

Exposure to cat is one of the most important causes of allergic disease. The objective of this study was to investigate IgE reactivity to the recombinant major cat allergen, rFel d 1, as an early marker of cat sensitization. Based on questionnaires, 144 children with allergic symptoms due to cat, or where such symptoms were suspected, were selected from the birth cohort BAMSE and allocated into three study groups.

Use of multivitamin supplements in relation to allergic disease in 8-y-old children.

Background: Multivitamins are frequently consumed by children, but it is unclear whether this affects the risk of allergic disease.

Objective: We sought to study the association between multivitamin supplementation and allergic disease in 8-y-old children.

Design: Data were obtained from a Swedish birth cohort study.

Selective IgA deficiency in early life: association to infections and allergic diseases during childhood.

Selective IgA deficiency in early life is quite common in Caucasian populations, but it is unclear whether it increases the risk of infections and allergic diseases during childhood. Serum IgA levels were measured in 2423 children at 4 years of age in a Swedish population based birth cohort (BAMSE). Parental questionnaires were repeatedly sent out during the child's first 8 years of life, collecting information about infections and allergic diseases.

Meta-analysis of determinants for pet ownership in 12 European birth cohorts on asthma and allergies: a GA2LEN initiative.

Background: Studies on pet ownership as a risk or protective factor for asthma and allergy show inconsistent results. This may be on account of insufficient adjustment of confounding factors.

Aim: The objective of this study was to describe determinants of cat and dog ownership in European families with and without allergies.

Sensitization to inhalant allergens between 4 and 8 years of age is a dynamic process: results from the BAMSE birth cohort.

Background: There is limited knowledge of the development of IgE-antibody levels over time in childhood, with respect to persistency and co-sensitization to specific inhalant allergens.

Methods: Data from 2033 children participating in the BAMSE birth cohort was used. Background factors and clinical parameters were obtained and IgE antibody (ab) levels to eight common airborne allergens were measured (>or=0.

Early-life supplementation of vitamins A and D, in water-soluble form or in peanut oil, and allergic diseases during childhood.

Background: Early vitamin supplementation is given routinely to infants in many countries, but it is unclear whether this affects the risk of allergic diseases.

Objectives: We sought to study the association between early-life supplementation of vitamins A and D in water-soluble form or in peanut oil and allergic diseases up to 4 years of age.

Methods: A prospective birth cohort of 4089 newborn infants was followed for 4 years using parental questionnaires repeatedly to collect information on exposure and health.

European birth cohort studies on asthma and atopic diseases: II. Comparison of outcomes and exposures--a GA2LEN initiative.

Background: The Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA2LEN) is a consortium of 26 leading European research centres committed to establish a European research area of excellence in the field of allergy and asthma.

Aim: One of the GA2LEN work packages was designed to identify and compare the existing European birth cohort studies on asthma and atopic diseases. The present review compares their subjective and objective outcomes as well as exposure variables.

Fish consumption during the first year of life and development of allergic diseases during childhood.

Background: Fish consumption during infancy has been regarded as a risk factor for allergic disease but later evidence suggests a protective role. However, methodological limitations in the studies make conclusions uncertain. The aim of this study was to assess the association between fish consumption during the first year of life and development of allergic diseases by age 4.

European birth cohort studies on asthma and atopic diseases: I. Comparison of study designs -- a GALEN initiative.

Background: The reasons for the rise in asthma and allergies remain unclear. To identify risk or protective factors, it is essential to carry out longitudinal epidemiological studies, preferably birth cohort studies. In Europe, several birth cohort studies on asthma and atopic diseases have been initiated over the last two decades.

Breast-feeding reduces the risk for childhood eczema.

Background: The evidence for a preventive effect of breast-feeding on the development of eczema in childhood remains controversial.

Objective: To investigate the effect of breast-feeding in various phenotypes of eczema to 4 years.

Methods: A birth cohort of 4089 children made up the study base.

The diagnostic value of endoscopy and Helicobacter pylori tests for peptic ulcer patients in late post-treatment setting.

Background: Guidelines for management of peptic ulcer patients after the treatment are largely directed to detection of H. pylori infection using only non-invasive tests. We compared the diagnostic value of non-invasive and endoscopy based H.

Breast-feeding reduces the risk of asthma during the first 4 years of life.

Background: The evidence for a preventive effect of breast-feeding on asthma and other allergic diseases in childhood is inconclusive.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of breast-feeding on asthma and sensitization to airborne allergens among children up to 4 years of age.

Methods: A birth cohort of 4089 children was followed.

Comparison of hand-to-hand bioimpedance and anthropometry equations versus dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for the assessment of body fat percentage in 17-18-year-old conscripts.

In the present study, hand-to-hand bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), skinfold (SKF) thickness and height-weight (body mass index, BMI)-based equations and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), as a criterion method, were compared with each other in the assessment of body fat percentage (BF%) in 17-18-year-old Estonian conscripts (n = 32). The Omron BF body fat monitor estimated that BF% was lower than that of the criterion method DEXA. The difference between DEXA and Omron BF 300 (III) was higher (1.

Breastfeeding and allergic disease: a multidisciplinary review of the literature (1966-2001) on the mode of early feeding in infancy and its impact on later atopic manifestations.

Background: Strategies to prevent children from developing allergy have been elaborated on the basis of state-of-the-art reviews of the scientific literature regarding pets and allergies, building dampness and health, and building ventilation and health. A similar multidisciplinary review of infant feeding mode in relation to allergy has not been published previously. Here, the objective is to review the scientific literature regarding the impact of early feeding (breast milk and/or cow's milk and/or formula) on development of atopic disease.

Strategies for preventing wheezing and asthma in small children.

Objective: To assess the effects of living in agreement with allergy preventive guidelines on wheezing and asthma at 2 years of age.

Design: Prospective birth cohort study (BAMSE). Questionnaires on heredity and environmental factors were answered when the child was 2 months, and detailed questionnaires on symptoms at 1 and 2 years of age.

The BAMSE project: presentation of a prospective longitudinal birth cohort study.

The aims of this prospective and longitudinal project are to establish crucial risk factors for asthma and other allergic diseases in childhood, and to study factors of importance for prognosis at already established allergic disease. Socio-economic factors, such as inequality in health, are also to be addressed. The project started in February 1994.

Breast feeding and allergic diseases in infants-a prospective birth cohort study.

Aims: To investigate the effect of breast feeding on allergic disease in infants up to 2 years of age.

Methods: A birth cohort of 4089 infants was followed prospectively in Stockholm, Sweden. Information about various exposures was obtained by parental questionnaires when the infants were 2 months old, and about allergic symptoms and feeding at 1 and 2 years of age.

Prevalence of antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori isolates in Estonia during 1995-2000 in comparison to the consumption of antibiotics used in treatment regimens.

Objective: To find a possible relation between the dynamics of antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori isolates and the consumption of antibiotics during the last several years in Estonia.

Methods: Helicobacter pylori isolates were collected from the gastric mucosa of patients with peptic ulcer (153) and gastritis (68) and isolated on the Columbia Agar Base. From 1995 to 1997 the disk-diffusion method was used for testing of H.