Most associations of early-life environmental exposures and genetic risk factors poorly differentiate between eczema phenotypes: the Generation R Study.

backgroundChildhood eczema is variable in onset and persistence.

objectivesTo identify eczema phenotypes during childhood, and their associations with early-life environmental and genetic factors.

methodsIn this study of 5297 children from a multiethnic population-based prospective cohort study, phenotypes based on parent-reported physician-diagnosed eczema from age 6 months to 10 years were identified using latent class growth analysis. Information on environmental factors was obtained using postal questionnaires. Four filaggrin mutations were genotyped and a risk score was calculated based on 30 genetic variants. Weighted adjusted multinomial models were used for association analyses.

resultsWe identified the following five eczema phenotypes: never (76%), early transient (8%), mid-transient (6%) and late transient (8%) and persistent eczema (2%). Early transient and persistent eczema were most common in first-born children, those with a parental history of eczema, allergy or asthma and those with persistent wheezing [range of odds ratio (OR): 1.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07-1.74 and OR 3.38, 95%CI 1.95-5.85]. Early transient eczema was most common in male children only (OR 1·49, 95% CI 1·18-1·89). Children with late transient or persistent eczema were more often of Asian ethnicity (OR 2·04, 95% CI 1·14-3·65 and OR 3·08, 95% CI 1·34-7·10, respectively). Children with early, late transient and persistent eczema more often had a filaggrin mutation or additional risk alleles (range OR: 1.07, 95%CI 1.02-1.12 and OR 2.21, 95%CI 1.39-3.50). Eczema phenotypes were not associated with maternal education, breastfeeding, day care attendance and pet exposure.

conclusionsFive eczema phenotypes were identified in a multiethnic paediatric population with limited differences in risk profiles, except for sex and ethnicity. What's already known about this topic? Two previous studies in longitudinal birth cohorts identified four and six different eczema phenotypes, predominantly in children of European ethnicity. What does this study add? Five eczema phenotypes were identified in a multiethnic paediatric population using latent class growth analysis. Children with early transient and persistent eczema were most often first-born children and had persistent wheezing, filaggrin mutation or additional risk alleles. Previously known eczema risk factors had limited differentiating capabilities for eczema phenotypes, except for the association of early transient eczema with male children, and late transient and persistent eczema with Asian ethnicity.