Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/j.ijheh.2012.03.006
Title (Primary) Indoor factors and behavioural problems in children: the GINIplus and LISAplus birth cohort studies
Author Casas, L.; Tiesler, C.; Thiering, E.; Brüske, I.; Koletzko, S.; Bauer, C.P.; Wichmann, H.-E.; von Berg, A.; Berdel, D.; Krämer, U.; Schaaf, B.; Lehmann, I.; Herbarth, O.; Sunyer, J.; Heinrich, J.
Source Titel International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health
Year 2013
Department IMMU
Volume 216
Issue 2
Page From 146
Page To 154
Language englisch
Keywords Indoor; Mould; Dampness; Pets; Behaviour; Children
UFZ wide themes ru3
Abstract Indoor microbial agents exposure is associated to depressive symptoms in adults and persistent exposure to indoor mould is associated to poorer cognitive function in children. In our study, we aimed to assess the effects of the exposure to indoor factors associated with increased microbial exposure (mould, dampness and pets) on behavioural problems in children aged 10 years, participating in two German birth cohorts. A total of 4860 children were followed until the age of 10years, and the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) was administered to the parents. Indoor factors were assessed through parental reported questionnaires in periodical surveys. Logistic and multinomial regressions adjusting for potential confounders were performed. Prevalences of borderline/abnormal total scores in the SDQ at 10years of age were higher in children exposed to mould (aOR=1.23, 95%CI=1.00-1.56), dampness (aOR=1.51, 95%CI=1.10-2.07), and pets (aOR=1.48, 95%CI=1.20-1.94). The dimension "emotional symptoms" showed statistically significant risk estimates for mould and pets, meanwhile "conduct problems" and "hyperactivity/inattention" dimensions only did for pets. No significant associations were found for the "peer relationship problems" dimension. We found a significant strong interaction between dampness and pet, the risk of borderline/abnormal scores in the "total difficulties" scale and the "emotional symptoms" dimension for pets' was at least twice the risk in children with reported dampness than in children without. Our findings point to a potential effect of microbial exposure on children's behavioural problems, especially on emotional disorders, probably mediated through neurotoxicity and immune system activation.

Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=12946
Casas, L., Tiesler, C., Thiering, E., Brüske, I., Koletzko, S., Bauer, C.P., Wichmann, H.-E., von Berg, A., Berdel, D., Krämer, U., Schaaf, B., Lehmann, I., Herbarth, O., Sunyer, J., Heinrich, J. (2013):
Indoor factors and behavioural problems in children: the GINIplus and LISAplus birth cohort studies
Int. J. Hyg. Environ. Health. 216 (2), 146 - 154 10.1016/j.ijheh.2012.03.006