Childhood allergy symptoms increase the risk of behavioral problems: A
cross-sectional study
Abstract
Background: Children with allergic symptoms tend to have behavioral or
emotional problems. However, previous studies on this association did
not control for factors such as parenting stress, demographic
characteristics, or allergy presentation. This study aimed to
investigate the relationship between childhood allergic symptoms and
behavioral problems, adjusted for confounders such as demographic
characteristics, parenting stress, and allergy-related variables.
Methods: We conducted an online cross-sectional survey among caregivers
of children aged 2-6 years (n=633). The Strengths and Difficulties
Questionnaire (SDQ) score was used as the primary measure of children’s
behavioral characteristics. Data on history of wheezing, eczema, and
rhinitis were collected from the children’s caregivers, using a
standardized questionnaire, based on the International Study of Asthma
and Allergies in Childhood. Associations were estimated using logistic
regression analyses with propensity score to adjust for confounding
factors. Results: Univariate analyses showed that history of wheezing
was associated with conduct problems, a behavioral component of the SDQ.
History of eczema was also associated with hyperactivity. Furthermore,
nose symptoms were associated with conduct and emotional problems. After
adjusting for potential confounders, history of wheezing (adjusted odds
ratio [OR]=1.69, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-2.75) and
nose symptoms (adjusted OR=1.56, 95% CI: 1.05-2.34) remained associated
with increased risk of conduct problems. Conclusions: This study
revealed that history of wheezing and rhinitis in children are
associated with increased risk of behavioral problems, in particular,
that of conduct problems. This evidence may inform future research into
childhood allergy symptoms and their behavioral problems.