BACKGROUND: Exposure to indoor moisture damage and visible mould has been found to be associated with asthma and respiratory symptoms in several questionnaire-based studies by self-report. We aimed to define the prospective association between the early life exposure to residential moisture damage or mould and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and lung function parameters as objective markers for airway inflammation and asthma in 6-year old children. METHODS: Home inspections were performed in children's homes when infants were on average 5 months old. At age 6 years, data on FeNO (n=322) as well as lung function (n=216) measurements were collected. Logistic regression and generalized additive models were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Early age major moisture damage and moisture damage or mould in the child's main living areas was significantly associated with increased FeNO levels (>75th percentile) at the age of 6 years (adjusted Odds Ratios, 95% Confidence Intervals, aOR (95%CI): 3.10 (1.35-7.07)) and 3.16 (1.43-6.98), respectively). Effects were more pronounced in those who did not change residential address throughout the study period. For lung function, major structural damage within the whole home was associated with reduced FEV1 and FVC, but not with FEV1/FVC. No association with lung function was observed with early moisture damage or mould in the child's main living areas. CONCLUSION: These results underline the importance of prevention and remediation efforts of moisture and mould damaged buildings in order to avoid harmful effects within the vulnerable phase of the infants and children's immunological development.
FörderungenFinnish Cultural Foundation Paivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation Competitive State Research Funding for the Kuopio University Hospital Catchment Area Foundation for Pediatric Research Juho Vainio Foundation Academy of Finland