Table 1.
Demographic characteristics and possible risk factors for atopy at baseline
| Variable | Probiotic arm* | Placebo arm* |
|---|---|---|
| Socioeconomic status (Townsend rank; N; median, IQR) | 220; 949 (333–1514) | 234; 864 (330–1558) |
| Mother smoked during pregnancy | 41/205 (20.0%) | 47/218 (21.6%) |
| Vaginal delivery | 152/216 (70.4%) | 157/232 (67.7%) |
| House | ||
| Cat, dog, rodent or bird kept indoors | 112/220 (50.9%) | 120/234 (51.3%) |
| Damp and/or mould as reported by participants | 59/217 (27.2%) | 56/232 (24.1%) |
| No. households with | ||
| 1 adult | 10/220 (4.6%) | 9/234 (3.9%) |
| ≥3 adults | 20/220 (9.1%) | 25/234 (10.7%) |
| no other children | 81/220 (36.8%) | 93/234 (39.7%) |
| ≥3 other children | 16/220 (7.3%) | 18/234 (7.7%) |
| No. infants at increased risk of atopy† | 197/220 (89.6%) | 205/234 (87.6%) |
This table gives the number of participants (%) unless otherwise stated.
*Denominator varies according to information provided by parents/carers and compliance with follow-up.
†Defined as first degree relative with either asthma or eczema diagnosed by a health professional or allergic rhinitis treated by a doctor.