Study of the relationship between acetaminophen and asthma in Mexican children aged 6 to 7 years in 3 Mexican cities using ISAAC methodology.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the relationship between the use of acetaminophen and the frequency of asthma in Mexican children in 3 Mexican cities. METHODS: Ours was a multicenter, observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study. Patients from 6 to 7 years of age participating in Phase Three B of the ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children) living in the north of Mexico City, Victoria City, and Merida were included. After adjusting for confounders, we calculated the odds ratios (OR) for the presence of wheezing ever, wheezing in the last 12 months, asthma ever, and the use of acetaminophen in the first year of life and during the last 12 months. RESULTS: The ORs for wheezing ever, wheezing in the last year, and asthma ever with respect to use of acetaminophen in the first year of life were not statistically significant (P > .05) in Mexico City, but they were significant in Victoria City (P < .05) and Merida (P < .05). The ORs (95% confidence intervals) for wheezing ever, wheezing in the last year, and asthma ever with respect to use of acetaminophen in the last year were 3.44 (2.96-4.0), 7.97 (5.89-10.78), and 6.10 (3.30-8.81) (P < .05) in Mexico City. Values forVictoria City were 1.36 (1.13-1.63), 3.80 (2.88-5.05), and 2.18(1.57-3.01) (P < .05). Those for Merida were 1.61 (1.40-1.85), 2.07 (1.73-2.48), and 1.53 (1.29-1.82) (P < .05). CONCLUSION: The use of acetaminophen is associated with the presence of wheezing and asthma in 3 different cities in Mexico.

[Adverse reactions to vaccines]. / Reacciones adversas a vacunas.

Vaccination is one of the medicine's achievements to control and/or eradicate certain infectious diseases. Vaccines contain antigenic doses derived from microorganisms and/or its toxins, besides they are composed of other substances such as aluminum, gelatin, egg proteins, mercury components (as thimerosal), and antibiotics; therefore, these substances can produce hypersensitivity reactions. The above-mentioned reactions can be evidenced with itch, edema, hives, asthmatic crisis, hypotension and even anaphylactic shock. Due to the importance of vaccination, especially in childhood, it is essential to know the benefits of vaccines, their impact in morbidity and mortality decrease of certain infected-contagious diseases, as well as the adverse effects and the allergic reactions to their application. As immunizations prevent natural infections, they might contribute to a free infectious environment that would allow atopic response. This paper reviews the allergic reactions to vaccines and their influence on the development of atopic disease.