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Dampness in buildings and health (DBH): Report from an ongoing epidemiological investigation on the association between indoor environmental factors and health effects among children in Sweden.

UNLABELLED: With the aim of identifying health-relevant exposures in buildings, an epidemiological study "Dampness in Buildings and Health" (DBH) started in the year 2000 in Sweden. The health focus of the study is on asthma and allergic symptoms among small children and their parents. The first step in the study was an epidemiological cross-sectional questionnaire on housing and health involving 14,077 preschool children in the county of Värmland in Sweden (March-April 2000). Self-reported moisture-related problems in the building were strongly associated with asthma, allergic symptoms, and airway infections among children and adults. Other factors associated with symptoms among the children were allergic heredity, smoking in the family, male sex, urban living, short breast feeding, pet keeping, daycare attendance, non-farming life and some food habits. The second step in the study was a nested case-control study including 198 children with symptoms and 202 healthy controls. A detailed clinical examination by physicians in parallel with extensive inspections and measurements in the subjects' homes were conducted from October 2001 to April 2002. The influence of selection bias in case-control studies has been studied, and questionnaires on self-reported symptoms and building characteristics have been validated. Identified risk factors for allergic symptoms are, e.g., inspector-observed dampness, a low ventilation rate, endotoxin, Penicillium and phthalates in dust. In the third phase, a 5-year follow-up study will be carried out during 2005. The same questionnaire as used in DBH-phase 1 will be distributed to the 10,852 children/parents who responded to the first questionnaire in 2000. Finally, in a fourth phase, controlled experimental studies in climate chambers and in vitro tests regarding findings from DBH-Phase 2 are planned to be conducted during 2004-08. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Asthma and allergies among small children are associated with a number of risk factors in the indoor environment. In investigations of building-related health problems many factors have to be considered, including "dampness" emissions from building materials, and ventilation rates.

Adolescent↗

A nationwide study of indoor and outdoor environments in allergen avoidance and conventional daycare centers in Sweden.

UNLABELLED: Sweden has had specialized 'allergen avoidance daycare centers' (AADC) since 1979. The aim was to compare AADC with ordinary daycare centers (ODC). Through contacts with municipalities and hospitals, 72 AADC were identified. For each AADC, the two nearest ODCs served as controls. A questionnaire was sent to the local directors of the 216 daycare centers (531 sections), 83% responded. A total of 39% of the ODCs had ever had dampness/molds, 12% were near (<500 m) stables/farms, 23% were closer than 50 m to a heavy trafficked road, and 13% were exposed to wood smoke in winter. Only 11% of the AADCs had any child with furred pets at home, while 97% of the ODCs had children with furred pets. Bans on smoking at home and on perfumes were more common at the AADCs (P = 0.001). Fewer AADCs had PVC floors (OR = 0.53; P = 0.01), dampness/molds (OR = 0.55; P = 0.04), shelves (OR 3.03; P = 0.001), curtains (OR = 1.67; P = 0.047), and flowers (OR = 0.03; P < 0.001), while more had daily floor cleaning (OR = 19.9; P = 0.004), weekly wiping of furniture (OR = 11.0; P = 0.001), and washing of pillows/mattresses (OR = 2.74; P = 0.005) and curtains (OR = 9.07; P = 0.001). In conclusion, allergy avoidance daycare centers differ from other daycare centers, and may have better indoor environments. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: There is a need to improve the indoor environments of daycare centers, including reduction of building dampness and molds. Allergen avoidance daycare centers (AADC) in Sweden differ from ordinary daycare centers in many respects, with fewer indoor and building factors related to dust, allergens and irritants. This shows that the indoor environments of daycare centers can be improved. Data suggest that AADC may have lower levels of pet allergens, and this is beneficial for children with pet allergy. The effects of these improvements on indoor exposures and health of the children need to be further evaluated.

Air Pollutants↗

A comparative study of asthma, pollen, cat and dog allergy among pupils and allergen levels in schools in Taiyuan city, China, and Uppsala, Sweden.

We compared the school environment, asthma and allergy in 10 schools in Taiyuan, China, with eight schools in Uppsala, Sweden. In total 2193 pupils (mean age 13 years) participated. Chinese pupils had more respiratory symptoms, particularly daytime breathlessness after exercise (29.8% vs. 7.1%; P < 0.001), while cat allergy (1.2% vs. 6.6%; P < 0.001) and dog allergy (1.3% vs. 4.0%; P < 0.01) was less common. Cumulative incidence of asthma (1.8% vs. 9.5%; P < 0.001) and doctor's diagnosed asthma (1.2% vs. 9.0%; P < 0.001) were less common in China, indicating an under-diagnosis of asthma. Chinese classrooms were colder (mean 14.7 vs. 21.4 degrees C), more humid (mean 42% vs. 31% RH) and had higher CO2-levels (mean 2211 vs. 761 ppm). Levels of cat (Fel d1), dog (Can f1) allergens were low in settled dust from China (< 200 ng/g dust), but high in airborne dust on Petri-dishes (GM 16.8 ng/m2/day for Fel d1 and 17.7 for Can f1). The Swedish settled dust contained cat, dog and horse allergens in high levels (median 1300 ng/g, 1650 ng/g, 1250 U/g dust, respectively). In conclusion, there were large differences in the school environment, and in respiratory symptom and allergy. Allergen measurements in settled dust only may largely underestimate the classroom exposure. Practical Implications There is a need to improve the school environment, both in China and Sweden. The Swedish schools contained high levels of cat, dog and horse allergens and more amounts of open shelves and textiles that can accumulate dust and allergens. The air measurements indicated that Chinese schools may contain significant amounts of cat and dog allergen, and analysis of settled dust only may not reflect the true allergen exposure. Since the Chinese schools had no mechanical ventilation, they could not fulfill the ventilation standard in winter, and hence there is a need for improving the ventilation. The great discrepancy between respiratory symptoms and reports on asthma, and the high prevalence of attacks of breathlessness without wheeze, may have implication for future questionnaire studies on asthma in China.

Adolescent↗

Research utilization among dental hygienists in Sweden--a national survey.

Over the last decade evidence-based practice has become increasingly important in health care as an approach to improve patient outcomes. It is vital that dental hygienists, like other health professionals, use research findings to inform clinical practice. The objective of the present study was to investigate the extent of research utilization among dental hygienists in Sweden and to investigate the relationship between level of education and factors related to research utilization. A random sample of 261 dental hygienists in Sweden, 113 with 1 year and 148 with 2-year education, responded to a postal questionnaire covering various aspects of research utilization, i.e. their attitudes towards research, availability and support for the implementation of research findings, use of research in daily practice, their activity in seeking new research findings and their participation in a range of research-related activities. Dental hygienists with 2-year education had a more positive attitude towards research, used research to a greater extent and were more active in seeking new research findings than dental hygienists with 1-year education. Overall, relatively few dental hygienists reported that they implemented research findings in practice; the most frequently reported activity concerned reading research articles in professional journals. The conclusions are that the length of dental hygiene education is a key factor influencing the application of research findings to practice. One-year education appears to be inadequate to achieve evidence-based practice. Moreover, not even two years of formal education guarantees necessary competence in research for evidence-based dental hygiene practice.

Adult↗

Is trisomy 18 increasing in Sweden? An analysis of the syndrome during a ten year period and a comparison with a French registry.

This paper reports an analysis of trisomy 18 in Sweden between 1978 and 1987 and a comparison with data from the Rhône-Alpes/Auvergne registry in France. A strong maternal age dependency is seen, which parallels that observed for Down syndrome. The patterns of registered malformations in the two data sets are quite similar. A progressive increase of the prevalence at birth of trisomy 18 is seen in Sweden during the ten years but not in France. This increase seems to result, at least in part, from an increased identification of the trisomy among malformed infants. A parallel decrease in the reporting of infants with the "cardinal" trisomy 18 malformations is indicated.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Perinatal mortality in Sweden. Analyses with international aspects.

The perinatal mortality in Sweden has been decreasing during the last four decades. From available vital statistics in 1976 Sweden's figures are the lowest internationally. The decline continues and in 1978 the figure was as low as 10.0 per thousand. The five-year period 1973--1977 has been specially analysed using medical birth records from all births. Data from an international perinatal study in 1973 coordinated by WHO have been treated in the same way. With birth weight (BW) specific mortality rates in groups of 250 g it is shown that late fetal deaths (LFD) are related to BW only for high BW and that early neonatal deaths (END) are inversly related to BW. There is no sex difference in LFD but a marked male dominance in END, with one third higher rate for the boys. BW specific mortality rates in BW groups of 250 g, separated in LFD and END can be used as a tool for evaluating the quality of perinatal care. The influence oof factors related to patterns and standards of living is emphasized. It is suggested that perinatal mortality should be given in its two components separately late fetal death rates (LFD) and early neonatal death rates (END).

Birth Weight↗

Osteitis and other complications caused by generalized BCG-itis. Experiences in Sweden.

In 1973 an increase in the number of osteitis caused by BCG vaccination in the neonatal period was observed in Sweden. A high incidence of this complication, i.e. 1 case per 3000 vaccinated newborn children continued until this vaccination was interrupted in 1975. In the years 1972 to 1980 a total of 90 cases were reported to the Adverse Drug Reaction Committee. Earlier retrospective studies had disclosed 36 cases born between 1949-1968 and an active search for unreported cases in the 1970s revealed an additional 26 cases. Of the total of 152 known cases in Sweden, 82 were boys and 70 girls. The mean incubation period was 14 months for boys and 23 for girls. Extremely long incubation periods were seen, i.e. 6 years in two children and 12 years in one. Eleven children had multiple osteitis lesions. The epiphyses of the long bones of the extremities were the most frequent sites of the affection (109 lesions). Only in 6 patients the spine, which is the common site of osteitis caused by tuberculosis, was affected. Relapses occurred in two patients.

BCG Vaccine↗

Incidence of childhood leukemia in Sweden 1975-1980.

During the six-year period 1975-1980, leukemia was diagnosed in 466 children in Sweden, giving an estimated incidence of 4.4/100 000 children per year (0-15 years at diagnosis). The incidence of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) was 3.7, of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) 0.6 and of chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) 0.1/100 000 children per year. The over all incidence among boys was 4.5/100 000 per year and among girls 4.2. The male: female ratio was 1.13. This ratio was 1.22 in ALL and 0.71 in ANLL. Fifty per cent of the children were below 5 years of age at diagnosis, with a pronounced peak between 2-3 years, which was explained by the ALL distribution. In children with acute leukemia 13% had WBC values of greater than 100 X 10(9)/1, 4% had CNS leukemia and 10% had a mediastinal mass at diagnosis. The geographical distribution of leukemia in Sweden was analysed in a search for clusters of cases.

Acute Disease↗

Monitoring of drug prescriptions for children in the county of Jämtland and Sweden as a whole in 1977-1987.

One individual-based (Jämtland) and one population-based (Sweden) monitoring system provided information on the prescription sales of drugs for children in ambulatory care. The overall prescription rate decreased between 1977 and 1987 and it was 20-25% lower in Jämtland than in Sweden as a whole. Antibiotics, drugs for ear, nose and throat diseases and respiratory drugs accounted for three out of four prescriptions. Penicillin V dominated among antibiotics and the prescription rate was stable whereas that of other antibiotics increased. During their first year of life one out of ten children in Jämtland had at least one prescription of antibiotics, during their first five years three out of four children. Prescribing of decongestants, especially systemic, decreased during the study period whereas that of anti-asthmatics increased, partly due to the non-approved use of these drugs for common cough. The results from our study underline the need for pharmaco-epidemiological studies linking prescription data to clinical data in order to answer questions on the rational of present drug treatment practices.

Adolescent↗

More than half the sporadic cases of hemophilia A in Sweden are due to a recent mutation.

The aim of this study was to ascertain how many of the sporadic cases of severe Haemophilia A in Sweden are due to recent mutation, and establish its origin. DNA analysis was performed in 18 randomly selected families with a sporadic case of severe haemophilia A. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns were investigated, two intragenic (Bc1 I, Xba I/Kpn I) and two extragenic (DX 13, St 14) RFLP being used. In 10/18 families a haemophilia-linked gene was found to have derived from the healthy maternal grandfather; on the basis of clotting and immunological assay results, the odds were high (greater than 104:1) for maternal carriership in four of these 10 cases, and for maternal non-carriership in two, four being indeterminate. In 4/18 families a haemophilia-linked gene derived from the healthy maternal grandmother; according to clotting and immunological assay results, in two cases the odds were high for maternal non-carriership. In the remaining 4/18 families no conclusions could be drawn from the RFLP pattern as to the origin of mutation. We conclude that at least 55% of the sporadic cases of severe hemophilia A in Sweden are due to a recent mutation within the last two generations.

Hemophilia A↗

Greek immigrant children in southern Sweden in comparison with Greek and Swedish children. III. Energy and nutrient intake.

Greek immigrant children (GI) belonging to the second generation of immigrants in Sweden have been compared with Swedish children (S) and Greek children in Greece (G) regarding energy and nutrient intake. Twenty-four-hour recalls were obtained in the homes of the families. The mean energy intake was the same in all three groups and met the Swedish Nutrition Recommendations. The energy distribution for protein, carbohydrates and fat was also similar. The fat intake was far above the recommended level in all groups. The GI and the G group had a significantly higher mean daily intake of monounsaturated fatty acids than the S group (p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.001, respectively). Children aged four to eight years in the GI group had a significantly higher nutrient density of retinol, vitamin D, riboflavin, vitamin B6, calcium, iron, magnesium and sucrose compared to the G group, but compared to the S group they had a lower nutrient density of retinol, vitamin D, ascorbic acid, niacin, vitamin B12 and selen. The GI children consumed more milk than the G children but as much as the S children and they had started to use enriched low-fat milk in Sweden. In conclusion, the food quality in the GI group was better than in the G group and much the same as in the S group, and, with few exceptions, it met the Swedish Nutrition Recommendations.

Child↗

Adverse reactions in healthy and immunocompromised children under six years of age vaccinated with the Danish BCG vaccine, strain Copenhagen 1331: implications for the vaccination policy in Sweden.

A retrospective analysis of the adverse reactions reported between 1979 and 1991, in the 139,000 children under six years of age vaccinated in Sweden with the Danish BCG vaccine, strain Copenhagen 1331, showed an incidence of 1.9 per 1000 vaccinated children. Regional lymphoglandular swellings and/or abscesses were most commonly reported in 1.4 per 1000. Serious, disseminated, BCG infections developed in four infants vaccinated neonatally. Three of the infants suffered from severe, combined, immunodeficiency syndrome, undiagnosed at the time of vaccination. The incidence of severe, combined, immunodeficiency syndrome was higher in the BCG-vaccinated population (4 per 100,000 infants vaccinated within a year of their births), compared with all newborns in Sweden (1 per 100,000). The mean age at the onset of symptoms was 2.4 months for the seven non-BCG-vaccinated infants versus 1.3 months for the four BCG-vaccinated ones, while the immunodeficiency syndrome was diagnosed at an average age of 7.6 months in those who were not vaccinated versus 5.3 months in those BCG-vaccinated. It is recommended that the selective BCG vaccination of infants at high risk of exposure to tuberculosis should be postponed to six months of age to reduce the risk of inoculating infants suffering from immunodeficiency syndromes.

Age Factors↗

Prevalence, genetics and clinical presentation of chronic granulomatous disease in Sweden.

To estimate the prevalence of chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) in Sweden, an inquiry asking for known and possible CGD cases was mailed to paediatric, internal medicine and infectious disease departments all over Sweden. The detected patients were characterized as to genetics and the clinical presentation. Twenty-one patients (belonging to 16 different families) were found, corresponding to a prevalence of approximately 1/450,000 individuals. The patients with X-linked disease, lacking a functional gp91phox protein (n = 12), comprised 57% and 43% of the patients had an autosomal recessive (AR) disease lacking p47phox (n = 7) or p67phox (n = 1), respectively. All unrelated patients with X-linked disease displayed different gene abnormalities such as point mutations predicting nonsense (n = 3), missense (n = 1) or splice site mutations (n = 2), but also a total deletion and a unique 40 base pair duplicature insertion. The patients with p47phox-deficiency showed a GT deletion at a GTGT tandem repeat, and the p67phox-deficient patient displayed a heterozygous in-frame deletion of AAG combined with a large deletion in the other allele. Three patients died during the study period, two from pseudomonas cepacia infections. Patients with X-linked disease had more frequent infections (mean of 1.7 per year), than the patients with AR inheritance (0.5 infections per year). The most common infections were dermal abscesses (n = 111), followed by lymphadenitis (n = 82) and pneumonias (n = 73). Inflammatory bowel disease-like symptoms, mimicking Crohn's disease of the colon, was seen in three CGD patients.

Adolescent↗

Environmental pollution and delivery outcome in southern Sweden: a study with central registries.

OBJECTIVE: To study whether differences in delivery outcome correlated with pollution levels in the municipalities of a county in southern Sweden (Malmöhus). METHODS: The effects of air and ground pollution on delivery outcome were studied in 38,718 women who lived, and were delivered, in Malmöhus county in southern Sweden during the period 1985-90. Delivery outcome was compared between different municipalities arranged according to the degree of pollution. RESULTS: Neither air nor ground pollution affected the odds ratio for short gestation or low birthweight. No significant effect was seen on perinatal deaths or non-trivial malformations, but in the municipality with the highest arsenic concentration, 14 infants died perinatally versus the expected 7.4, and the odds ratio for stillbirths reached formal statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Environmental pollution in this county does not seem to be a major determinant of delivery outcome.

Air Pollution↗

Incidence and estimates of the disease burden of rotavirus in Sweden.

Laboratory and hospitalization data from two children's hospitals with large primary catchment areas and national laboratory and hospitalization data for children under 4 y of age with acute diarrhoea were compiled to estimate the number of hospitalizations and the cost burden associated with rotavirus diarrhoea in Sweden. According to our estimates 1500-1700 rotavirus-associated hospitalizations occur annually in Sweden in children under 4 y of age (3.7 hospitalizations/1000 children/y). This number represents 2.3% of admissions for all diagnoses in children of this age group. The cost of these hospitalizations is 13.5-15 million Swedish crowns (US$1.8-2 million). Serotyping by PCR for two years revealed that serotype 1 (G1) was the most common (49% and 58%, respectively) identified. Serotypes 2-4 were identified in the following proportions G2 (23% and 5%), G3 (21% and 0%) and G4 (7% and 16%). The national laboratory report data for 1993-96 show that as much as 7-13% of rotavirus infections occur in elderly people.

Age Distribution↗

Survey of the pre-school child health surveillance programme in Sweden.

A survey of the programme for developmental surveillance in the Child Health Centres (CHCs) in Sweden was performed using a questionnaire administered to the Chief Medical Officers (CMO) of the Child Health Services. The questionnaire asked about methods used for auditory examination, developmental surveillance and identification of disturbances in mother-child interaction. Activities for health promotion concerning breastfeeding, non-smoking and allergy prevention were also queried. Thirty-four CMOs representing 1731 CHCs and 645,000 children answered the questionnaire. The reply rate was 81%. Various methods of auditory examination are offered all infants and children in Sweden. The national guidelines for health supervision are followed fairly closely by all. Screening for disturbances in attention, motor development and perception (DAMP) is performed by all but four districts, with various methods, resources and degrees of co-operation with school health services. Support in mother-child interaction is considered very important and new methods to identify and treat disturbances are gradually introduced. Breastfeeding is encouraged; breast milk is the main source of food for 67% of babies at 4 mo of age. Activities to stop or diminish use of tobacco are ongoing everywhere, as are programmes to identify children at risk of developing allergies and for allergy prevention. Thus, the Child Health Services maintain a high standard and are ambitious about introducing new methods and ideas.

Breast Feeding↗

Pervasive loss of function in asylum-seeking children in Sweden.

UNLABELLED: Presently, a couple of hundred children from traumatized asylum-seeking families in Sweden have developed severe loss of mental and physical functions without evidence of underlying disease. Of the 23 treated children treated at this clinic, 15 have recovered, three are improving and five are under initial care. Communication within the family is crucial from both pathogenic and salutogenic perspectives. A permanent residence permit, correcting the underlying situation of threat and insecurity, is a condition for good results from psychiatric treatment. In Sweden there is a lack of consensus and conflicting political and medical perspectives prevail regarding the "apathetic" children. CONCLUSION: Children living under unbearable life conditions can develop life-threatening depression-withdrawal stress reactions well known as pervasive refusal syndrome (PRS). This is also true of children in traumatized asylum-seeking families. Excellent results are achieved when the family's underlying fear and hopelessness can be erased and the treatment focuses on the traumatic experiences.

Child↗

Yersinia enterocolitica in small rodents from Norway, Sweden and Finland.

The purpose of the present investigation was to study the occurrence of Yersinia enterocolitica (Y.e.) among small rodents and shrews (Soricidae) from Norway, Sweden and Finland. During a period of one year beginning in the autumn of 1973, animals from seven localities were examined. Twenty-four strains of Y.e. were isolated from 551 small rodents. Isolations were made from six of the seven localities and from six of the nine small rodent species examined. Pooled faeces samples from 397 animals yielded 12 strains. Faeces from 154 small rodents were separately investigated: Twelve (8 per cent) of these animals harboured Y.e. No isolations were made from 52 shrews. Most of the strains showed antigenic relationship to O-serotypes previously reported from untreated drinking water in Norway. Two strains were antigenically related to O-serotype 3 but differed biochemically from the strains found in man and swine. The results indicate that Y.e. has a widespread distribution among small rodents in Norway, Sweden and Finland.

Animals↗