Allergic Family History as a Protective Determinant to
Helminthic Infection
Pasuree Sangsupawanich MD, PhD*, Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong MD, PhD**,
Ladda Mo-suwan MD*, Chanpen Choprapawon MD***
Affiliation :
* Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand
** Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand
*** Prospective Cohort Study of Thai Children, Health System Research Institute, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : Investigate the resistance to helminths in children with an allergic family history.
Material and Method: The study was undertaken as part of the Prospective Cohort Study of Thai Children (PCTC) that
followed all births in the year 2001 from rural districts in Thailand. The family histories of allergic diseases were validated
by the physicians’ diagnoses and medical record reviews. Fresh stool examinations were carried out at 18 to 36 months of
age.
Results : Of 1,076 live births in the cohort, 659 children had complete information. A family history of allergy presented in
5.4% of the children. The prevalence of any helminthic infection, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and hookworm
were 25.0%, 18.2%, 9.2%, and 5.3%, respectively. The adjusted odds ratio of a family history of allergy for helminthic
infection was 0.28 (95% CI, 0.08-0.95).
Conclusion : A family history of allergic diseases independently increases resistance to helminthic infection.
Keywords : Helminth infections, Allergic family history, Protective effect
All Articles
Download