Timing of DTaP vaccine not tied to food allergies at age one year

(HealthDay)—Timing of the diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccination is not tied to child food allergies; however, children with delayed DTaP have less eczema, according to a study published online Dec. 28 in Allergy.

Nicholas Kiraly, B.M.B.S., from the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute in Australia, and colleagues assessed 12-month-old infants participating in the HealthNuts cohort (4,433 participants) with skin prick tests to common food allergens. Sensitized infants were offered oral food challenges to determine food allergy status. Vaccination data were obtained from a national immunization register.

The researchers found that 2.5 percent of children received the first dose of DTaP one month late (delayed DTaP). There was no overall association between delayed DTaP and primary outcomes of food allergy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.77; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.36 to 1.62; P = 0.49) or atopic sensitization (aOR, 0.66; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.35 to 1.24; P = 0.19). However, delayed DTaP was associated with reduced eczema (aOR, 0.57; P = 0.04) and reduced use of eczema medication (aOR, 0.45; P = 0.01).

"Timing of routine infant immunizations may affect susceptibility to allergic disease," the authors write.