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Study finds possible link between ultraviolet radiation levels and child allergies

ORLANDO, Fla. — Increased allergic disease in children may be linked to levels of ambient ultraviolet radiation absorbed at different latitudes, according to a study presented Tuesday during the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology 2012 Annual Meeting.

Researchers found a “latitude gradient” for peanut and egg food allergies and eczema (but not for asthma) in two age cohorts —  each with 5,000 subjects — in the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children.
Children in the 4- to 5-year-old cohort living in central areas of Australia were at1.9 times greater risk of peanut allergy than children from the northern region. Children from more southerly areas were 2.4 times as likely to have a peanut allergy. The odds of egg allergy were 2.9 greater in the central area and 3.1 times greater in the southern area. The odds of eczema were 1.8 and 2.6 times greater in the central and southern regions compared to children from the northern region.

Those in an 8- to 9-year-old cohort from the central region were 4 times more likely to have a peanut allergy. Those from the southerly region had 6.1 times greater odds of having a peanut allergy.
Children in the central and southern regions, respectively, faced a 1.6 and 1.9 times greater odds of having eczema, according to the study.

“This provides stimulus for research into possible causal roles of ambient UVR and, potentially through vitamin D status, the impact on risk of food allergy and eczema in children,” the researchers wrote.

For more information:

• Osborne, NJ. L24. Prevalence of eczema and food allergy is associated with latitude in Australia. Presented at: the 2012 AAAAI Annual Meeting; March 2-6, 2012; Orlando.