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Dorr G. Dearborn, PhD, MD, Swetland Center for Environmental Health, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Clevland, OH 44106-5000, 216-368-8521, dxd9@case.edu
Over the past ten years, there have been 36 infants with acute pulmonary hemorrhage cared for at our pediatric hospital; five infants have died. The initial case-control study of the first 10 infants, led by the CDC, found an association with exposure to moldy home environments. Subsequent review, however, resulted in a decreased odds ratio of 1.5 (1.1-2.5) in an unmatched analysis (Etzel, Curr Opin Pediat, 15:103,2003). Additional experience supports the association since 88% of the total 36 infants have come from water-damaged home environments containing Stachybotrys chartarum and other fungi. Removing these infants from their original home environments resulted in a 17-fold decrease in re-bleeding. The association is further supported by infant animal studies. Additional factors of environmental tobacco smoke and bacterial endotoxin are being considered. Children of families who have left their homes because of adverse health effects apparently due to extensive mold contamination have been seen for clinical and psychometric evaluation. Initial, uncontrolled observations note that most laboratory tests including IgG fungal serologies are seldom abnormal. Symptom profiles obtained by retrospective questionnaire reflect significant reductions of most general health and respiratory symptoms after the children are out of the moldy environments. Children exposed prior to six years of age have an increased incidence of language deficits. A case-control study is in progress. [NIEHS R01 ES09742; NIH GCRC M01 RR00080; EPA CR827942-01-0]
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Indoor Environment,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.