Skip to main content
Top
Published in: International Journal of Public Health 5/2013

01-10-2013 | Original Article

The use of household cleaning products during pregnancy and lower respiratory tract infections and wheezing during early life

Authors: Lidia Casas, Jan Paul Zock, Anne Elie Carsin, Ana Fernandez-Somoano, Ana Esplugues, Loreto Santa-Marina, Adonina Tardón, Ferran Ballester, Mikel Basterrechea, Jordi Sunyer

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 5/2013

Login to get access

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the effects of household use of cleaning products during pregnancy on infant wheezing and lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI).

Methods

In four prospective Spanish birth cohorts (n = 2,292), pregnant women reported the use of household cleaning products. When infants were 12–18 months old, current cleaning product use and infant’s wheezing and LRTI were reported. Cohort-specific associations between the use of specific products and respiratory outcomes were evaluated using multivariable regression analyses and estimates were combined using random-effects meta-analyses.

Results

The period prevalence of LRTI was higher when sprays (combined odds ratio (OR) = 1.29; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.04–1.59) or air fresheners (OR = 1.29; CI 1.03–1.63) were used during pregnancy. The odds of wheezing increased with spray (OR = 1.37; CI 1.10–1.69) and solvent (OR = 1.30; CI 1.03–1.62) use. The associations between spray and air freshener use during pregnancy and both outcomes remained apparent when these products were not used after pregnancy. Nevertheless, the estimates were higher when post-natal exposure was included.

Conclusion

The use of cleaning sprays, air fresheners and solvents during pregnancy may increase the risk of wheezing and infections in the offspring.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
go back to reference Dietert RR, Zelikoff JT (2008) Early-life environment, developmental immunotoxicology, and the risk of pediatric allergic disease including asthma. Birth Defects Res B Dev Reprod Toxicol 83:547–560. doi:10.1002/bdrb.20170 PubMedCrossRef Dietert RR, Zelikoff JT (2008) Early-life environment, developmental immunotoxicology, and the risk of pediatric allergic disease including asthma. Birth Defects Res B Dev Reprod Toxicol 83:547–560. doi:10.​1002/​bdrb.​20170 PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Karr C, Lumley T, Shepherd K et al (2006) A case-crossover study of wintertime ambient air pollution and infant bronchiolitis. Environ Health Perspect 114:277–281PubMedCrossRef Karr C, Lumley T, Shepherd K et al (2006) A case-crossover study of wintertime ambient air pollution and infant bronchiolitis. Environ Health Perspect 114:277–281PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Kogevinas M, Antó JM, Sunyer J et al (1999) Occupational asthma in Europe and other industrialised areas: a population-based study. European Community Respiratory Health Survey Study Group. Lancet 353:1750–1754PubMedCrossRef Kogevinas M, Antó JM, Sunyer J et al (1999) Occupational asthma in Europe and other industrialised areas: a population-based study. European Community Respiratory Health Survey Study Group. Lancet 353:1750–1754PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Medina-Ramón M, Zock JP, Kogevinas M et al (2003) Asthma symptoms in women employed in domestic cleaning: a community based study. Thorax 58:950–954PubMedCrossRef Medina-Ramón M, Zock JP, Kogevinas M et al (2003) Asthma symptoms in women employed in domestic cleaning: a community based study. Thorax 58:950–954PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Smith KR, Samet JM, Romieu I, Bruce N (2000) Indoor air pollution in developing countries and acute lower respiratory infections in children. Thorax 55:518–532PubMedCrossRef Smith KR, Samet JM, Romieu I, Bruce N (2000) Indoor air pollution in developing countries and acute lower respiratory infections in children. Thorax 55:518–532PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
The use of household cleaning products during pregnancy and lower respiratory tract infections and wheezing during early life
Authors
Lidia Casas
Jan Paul Zock
Anne Elie Carsin
Ana Fernandez-Somoano
Ana Esplugues
Loreto Santa-Marina
Adonina Tardón
Ferran Ballester
Mikel Basterrechea
Jordi Sunyer
Publication date
01-10-2013
Publisher
Springer Basel
Published in
International Journal of Public Health / Issue 5/2013
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-012-0417-2

Other articles of this Issue 5/2013

International Journal of Public Health 5/2013 Go to the issue