Abstract
The prevalence of allergic diseases in children has increased over recent years. The objective of this study was to evaluate the importance of risk factors responsible for this trend.
Family history of atopy, daily intake of w-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), body mass index (BMI), early contact with domestic and farm animals, air pollution, passive smoking and number of flat-mates were studied as risk factors for allergy. The data for the research was collected in May 2002, by the means of anonymous questionnaires distributed in population of 447 Prague schoolchildren aged 6 - 14 years.
Family history of allergic diseases has been established as a key risk factor (OR=2,7; p=0,0001). The study results also suggest that, contrary to current belief, w-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids PUFA consumption might be an important risk factor contributing to the development of allergic diseases (OR=1,59; p=0,0282).
The study has not revealed any relation of body mass index to the odds of developing an allergic disease; it has been identified only as a factor that affectsbreathing (p=0,017).. None of the other examined factors has shown to be of any significance.