Presentation: Relationship Between Serum Folate Levels and Risks of Allergic and Respiratory Diseases in Early Childhood: The Mothers and Children's Environmental Health Study ( World Allergy Congress)

Friday, 16 October 2015

Hall D1 Foyer (Floor 3) (Coex Convention Center)

Ja Hyeong Kim, MD , 1Department of Pediatrics, Ulsan University Hospital, Ulsan, South Korea

Seol Jae Hee , Department of Pediatrics, Ulsan University Hospital, Ulsan, South Korea

Eun-Hee Ha, MD , Department of Preventive Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea

Hyesook Park, MD , Department of Preventive Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea

Mina Ha, MD , Department of Preventive Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, South Korea

Yun-Chul Hong, MD , Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea

Yangho Kim, MD , Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, Ulsan, South Korea

Namsoo Chang, PhD , Department of Nutritional Science and Food Management, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea

Background: Folate, a dietary methyl donor, is known to alter gene expression influencing immune system through epigenetic modification. However, the relationships between folate level and the risk of allergic and respiratory diseases in children are still unknown.

Objectives: To investigate whether or not serum folate levels are associated with atopic biomarkers and also with the risk of allergic and respiratory diseases in children.

Methods : Data of 462 children with complete information from a birth cohort in South Korea were available. Serum folate levels were analyzed at 24 months of age in children. Atopic biomarkers such as total Ig E, IL-10 and eosinophil counts were also measured at 24 months. Information on maternal demographic and obstetrical characteristics and that on children’s allergic and respiratory outcomes was obtained from questionnaire.

Results: Serum folate levels were inversely associated with eosinophil counts (r = - 0.192, P < 0.001). Total IgE levels and eosinophil counts decreased significantly in the group whose serum folate was above the median value (17.6 ng/mL) compared to the other counterpart group (P = 0.013, P < 0.001 respectively). A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that folate level above the median value (17.6 ng/mL) was associated with a decreased risk for atopic dermatitis (AD) (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.34-0.95) at 24 months of age. However, no significant association was observed between serum folate levels and respiratory outcomes in children.

Conclusions: Serum folate level is associated with a lower risk of developing AD in early childhood.

3178 Relationship Between Serum Folate Levels and Risks of Allergic and Respiratory Diseases in Early Childhood: The Mothers and Children's Environmental Health Study