Baseline
Assessment of allergic rhinitis was performed in 290 (71%) of the 411
children at 7 years, in 353 (86%) children at 12 years and in 368
(90%) children at either 7 and/or 12 years. The latter defined the
study population. Accordingly, assessment of aeroallergen sensitization
was performed in 296 (72%) of the children at 6 years, in 315 (77%)
children at 12 years and in 352 (86%) children at either 6 and/or 12
years. Baseline characteristics including gender, socioeconomics, early
life exposures, and allergic predisposition of the included and excluded
children are outlined in Table 1 . The excluded children (N=43)
had fewer older siblings than the included children (no older siblings:
68% vs. 60%, p=0.04), but did not differ with respect to the remaining
baseline characteristics.