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Vacuum-assisted delivery is associated with late-onset asthma

  1. L. Keski-Nisula1,2,
  2. M. Harju2,
  3. M.-R. Järvelin3,4,
  4. J. Pekkanen1,5

Article first published online: 6 APR 2009

DOI: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2009.02044.x

Issue

Allergy

Allergy

Volume 64, Issue 10, pages 1530–1538, October 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Keski-Nisula, L., Harju, M., Järvelin, M.-R. and Pekkanen, J. (2009), Vacuum-assisted delivery is associated with late-onset asthma. Allergy, 64: 1530–1538. doi: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2009.02044.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Environmental Health Department, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland

  2. 2

    Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland

  3. 3

    Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Imperial College, London, UK

  4. 4

    Department of Public Health and General Practise, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland

  5. 5

    School of Clinical Nutrition and Public Health, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland

*Leea Keski-Nisula Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Kuopio University Hospital PL 1777 70211 Kuopio Finland

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 15 SEP 2009
  2. Article first published online: 6 APR 2009
  3. Accepted for publication 6 February 2009

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Keywords:

  • asthma;
  • atopy;
  • hay fever;
  • vacuum;
  • vaginal delivery

Background:  Perinatal factors during delivery might modulate fetal immunological development and thereby be associated with the development of allergic diseases and asthma later.

Methods:  Perinatal data was recorded during pregnancy and at the time of delivery in regard to 5823 children who were born in Northern Finland in 1985–1986. Data from self-administered questionnaires were available at the ages of 7 and 15–16 years and skin prick tests for four main allergens were carried out at the age of 15–16 years. Only singletons delivered by the vaginal route were analyzed.

Results:  There was a higher prevalence of doctor-diagnosed asthma at any time of life among children who were delivered by vacuum extraction (RR 1.80, 95% CI 1.27–2.56; P < 0.001) in comparison with spontaneously delivered children. In particular, this risk was increased as regards late-onset asthma (RR 2.41, 95% CI 1.52–3.81; P < 0.001). Perinatal effects had less impact on the development of other asthma, atopy or hay fever.

Conclusions:  The delivery by vacuum extraction had significant impact on the development of late-onset asthma compared with spontaneously delivered children.

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