PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - C. Zekveld
AU  - I. Bibakis
AU  - V. Bibaki-Liakou
AU  - A. Pedioti
AU  - I. Dimitroulis
AU  - J. Harris
AU  - A. J. Newman Taylor
AU  - P. Cullinan
TI  - The effects of farming and birth order on asthma and allergies
AID  - 10.1183/09031936.06.00021305
DP  - 2006 Jul 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - 82--88
VI  - 28
IP  - 1
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/28/1/82.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/28/1/82.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2006 Jul 01; 28
AB  - A farm childhood is apparently protective in allergic disease, but studies of this issue in Europe have been confined to particular types of farming practice. This study addressed whether or not this effect was generalisable. A cross-sectional survey of 800 schoolchildren living in rural Crete was undertaken. Standard questions relating to allergic disease were included and atopy was measured through skin-prick tests involving 10 local aeroallergens. The prevalence of atopy was 24%, but associated symptoms were far less common. At all ages, children from farming families had more frequent contact with farm animals (mainly goats), but were no less likely to be atopic. Atopy and seasonal rhinitis were significantly and independently more common among first-born children. This community has an intermediate prevalence of atopy but a very low frequency of allergic disease; farming does not seem to be an important determinant, possibly because it is of the wrong sort. Thus farming effects may be specific to local practices. First-born children in this community also appear to be at increased risk of allergic disease.