Demographic characteristics and potential risk factors in the two groups*
| Control (n=62) | Prophylactic (n=58) | |
|---|---|---|
| *Values are n (%) unless otherwise stated. | ||
| †Cord IgE was available in 41 children in the prophylactic group and 49 children in the control group. | ||
| ‡Current exposure to pets. | ||
| Mean (SD) age | 8.49 (0.27) | 8.46 (0.20) |
| Male sex | 33 (53.2) | 28 (48.3) |
| Dual heredity | 42 (67.7) | 51 (87.9) |
| Maternal allergy | 41 (66.1) | 42 (72.4) |
| Paternal allergy | 34 (54.8) | 31 (53.5) |
| Sibling allergy | 31 (50.0) | 36 (62.1) |
| Maternal asthma | 12 (19.4) | 17 (29.3) |
| Paternal asthma | 13 (21.0) | 15 (25.9) |
| Sibling asthma | 12 (19.4) | 20 (34.5) |
| High (>0.5 kU/l) cord IgE† | 19 (38.8) | 15 (36.6) |
| Maternal smoking during pregnancy | 15 (24.2) | 8 (13.8) |
| Mother left education at 16 | 36 (58.1) | 27 (46.6) |
| Cat‡ | 28 (45.2) | 25 (43.1) |
| Dog‡ | 32 (51.6) | 20 (34.5) |
| First born child | 26 (41.9) | 14 (24.1) |
| Gas cooker | 35 (56.5) | 37 (63.8) |