Pets at Birth Do Not Increase Allergic Disease in At-Risk Children

CJ Lodge, AJ Lowe, LC Gurrin. Clin Exp Allergy. 2012;42(9):1377–1385 To investigate the relationship between pet keeping at birth and the risk of sensitization, wheeze, allergic rhinitis, and eczema over the first 12 years in a cohort selected for familial allergy. A total of 620 infants were enrolled in a prospective birth cohort in Australia between 1990 and 1994. Eligible infants had at least 1 first-degree family member with a history of eczema, asthma, allergic rhinitis, or severe food allergy. Data on pet keeping, demographics, and cord blood samples were collected. Demographic information included parental smoking history, presence of carpets in the home, number of siblings, parental history of atopic …