Atopic diseases in children and adolescents are associated with behavioural difficulties

BMC Pediatrics

Freerk Prenzel¹  Mandy Vogel²  Wiebke Keller²  Wieland Kiess²  Andreas Hiemisch²  Tanja Poulain²  Anne Jurkutat³  Cornelia Hilbert³  Jon Genuneit⁴ 

[1] Department of Women and Children’s Health, Hospital for Children and Adolescents and Center for Pediatric Research (CPL), Leipzig University, Liebigstrasse 20a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany;Department of Women and Children’s Health, Hospital for Children and Adolescents and Center for Pediatric Research (CPL), Leipzig University, Liebigstrasse 20a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany;LIFE Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, Leipzig University, Philipp-Rosenthal-Strasse 27, 04103, Leipzig, Germany;LIFE Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, Leipzig University, Philipp-Rosenthal-Strasse 27, 04103, Leipzig, Germany;Pediatric Epidemiology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Liebigstrasse 20a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany;

关键词: Allergy;    Behavioural difficulties;    Children;    Adolescents;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12887-021-02663-7

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundAtopic diseases and behavioural difficulties in children have both been on the rise in recent decades. This study seeks to assess associations between atopic diseases and behavioural difficulties, examining the differences considering child age and how behavioural difficulties were reported (via self-report or parent-report).MethodsData on behavioural difficulties, assessed through the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and on atopic diseases, assessed through the participant’s medical history, were available for 2701 study participants aged 3 to 18 years. Associations between atopic diseases and behavioural difficulties were evaluated using linear regression analyses. We split the study sample into two groups. I: 3-to 10-year-olds/parent-reported SDQ (n = 1764), II: 11- to 18-year-olds/parent-reported SDQ (n = 937) and self-reported SDQ (n = 915). All analyses were adjusted for age, gender, and socioeconomic status.ResultsIn younger children, atopic dermatitis was strongly associated with higher total difficulties scores, more emotional problems and conduct problems, and more symptoms of hyperactivity/inattention. Parents reported higher total difficulties scores, more emotional problems, and more peer-relationship problems for adolescents with bronchial asthma and other allergies, whereas the adolescents themselves reported more peer relationship problems.ConclusionIn younger children, atopic dermatitis is associated with internalizing and externalizing problems. In adolescents, bronchial asthma and other allergies are associated with a greater level of internalizing problems only. The findings further suggest that parents of adolescents are more likely to perceive associations between atopic diseases and behavioural difficulties than the adolescents themselves.

【 授权许可】

CC BY