Asian birth cohort studies on allergic diseases: The A2BC network initiative.

Elizabeth Huiwen Tham, Rachel Peters, Narissara Suratannon, Agnes Sze Yin Leung, Tatsuki Fukuie, Kiwako Yamamoto-Hanada, Lynette Pei-Chi Shek, Gary W K Wong, Naoki Shimojo, Soo-Jong Hong, Pantipa Chatchatee, Taiji Nakano, Hugo Van Bever, Bee Wah Lee, Yukihiro Ohya, Jing-Long Huang, So-Yeon Lee, Ting-Fan Leung, Kuo-Wei Yeh, Bahrul Fikri

Journal: Pediatric allergy and immunology : official publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology 2024;35(11):e14280

PMID: 39560177

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Abstract

The Asia Allergy Birth Cohort (A2BC) network consolidates data from multiple independently established birth cohorts across Asia to enhance research on host-environment interactions in allergic diseases. These cohorts, established at different times with various methodologies, are reliable data sources. Our aim is to introduce the content, variables, and outcomes of these cohorts while highlighting their differences, laying the groundwork for future collaborative research. The A2BC network includes 10 cohort studies on allergic diseases from six Asian countries. Enrollment criteria, study aims, and an initial inventory were discussed and confirmed through five business meetings. A common database was developed to assess the study characteristics of these observational cohorts on allergic diseases, though harmonization efforts are retrospective. Five studies collected data on specific immunoglobulin E responses to various inhalant and food allergens, while six cohorts conducted skin prick tests. Lung function measurements were included in some studies, but without standardized procedures across cohorts. Asthma and allergic rhinitis were primarily assessed using questionnaires or doctor diagnoses, while assessments of eczema and food allergies varied across studies. The A2BC network also examines early-life environmental factors such as delivery mode, antibiotic usage, diet, and air pollutants, although these exposures were measured differently across the cohorts. Despite differences in the origins, methods, and objectives of each cohort, pooling data and conducting joint analyses offer valuable insights into the relationship between environmental exposures and allergic disease outcomes in Asian children. This approach can serve as a foundation for future collaborative research.

Address: PHI Digital Healthcare, Seoul, Korea.; Institute for Innovation in Digital Healthcare, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.; Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.; Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.; Allergy Center, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan.; Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Queenstown, Singapore.; Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Health System (NUHS), Singapore, Singapore.; Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Queenstown, Singapore.; Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.; Department of Pediatrics, New Taipei Municipal TuCheng Hospital, New Taipei, Taiwan.; Division of Allergy, Asthma and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.; Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia.; DR Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital, Makassar, Indonesia.; Center of Excellence for Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand.; HAUS IAQ Research Unit Center of Excellence for Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.; King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand.; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.; Department of Pediatrics, Childhood Respiratory Allergy Center, Humidifier Disinfected Health Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

DOI: 10.1111/pai.14280

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MeSH Terms: Humans, Asia, Hypersensitivity, Birth Cohort, Environmental Exposure, Child, Cohort Studies, Female, Immunoglobulin E, Male, Allergens, Asian People