Evaluation of Allergic Symptoms Prevalence and Its Relationship with Acetaminophen/Antibiotic Use and Hospitalization Among School-Aged Children in Tehran, Iran

Increasing of childhood allergic diseases throughout the world and its heavy socioeconomic burden have posed an important health concern. Therefore, providing the updated relevant epidemiological information is robustly recommended.
The study aimed to determine the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR), and eczema symptoms in primary school children aged 6 - 7 years and ascertain the association of acetaminophen use, antibiotic consumption, and hospitalization for respiratory infection in early life with allergic symptoms.
In this cross-sectional study conducted on primary school children aged 6 - 7 years from May to July 2012 in Tehran (Iran), a total of 4993 individuals took part. Cluster sampling was used for random selection of primary schools. Data were gathered by using a modified questionnaire of international study of asthma and allergies in childhood (ISAAC). Then, the questionnaires were completed by parents of the children.
The prevalence rates of current wheeze, wheeze ever, current itching rash, itchy rash ever, and rhinitis ever were found to be 19.64%, 27.49%, 8.95%, 8.28%, and 21.87%, respectively. Physician-diagnosed asthma, eczema, and AR were reported in 4.32%, 7.29%, and 9.61% of children, respectively. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that antibiotic use was significantly associated with symptoms of allergic rhinitis (P = 0.001). Also, the strongest association was found between asthma and atopic dermatitis symptoms and hospitalization due to respiratory infection in early life by multivariate analysis (P = 0.002 and P = 0.009, respectively).
This study determined the rising pattern of allergic symptoms in 6 - 7 year old children in Tehran. Moreover, acetaminophen/antibiotic use and hospitalization due to respiratory infection in early life were detected as significant risk factors for the appearance of childhood allergic symptoms.