Atopic outcomes at 2 years in the CORAL cohort, born in COVID-19 lockdown

Abstract

Introduction: The CORAL study is a cohort of infants born during the first weeks of the first SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) lockdown. This cohort has had lower antibiotic exposure, higher breastfeeding rates and lower infection rates, especially in the first year of life. We hypothesized that the altered early-life environment of infants born during lockdown would change the incidence of allergic conditions. Methods: This longitudinal, observational study followed 365 infants born between March and May 2020 from enrolment to the age of 2 years. Infants attended three research appointments at 6-, 12-, and 24-months and completed detailed questionnaires. At research appointments, children had skin prick testing, and atopic dermatitis (AD) assessment. Statistical analysis focused on changes within the group at different time points, the influence of specific environmental factors on allergic risk and compared the incidence of atopic conditions with a pre-pandemic Irish infant cohort, BASELINE. Results: AD was more common in CORAL group at both 12 (26.5% vs. 15.5%; p