Table 1 Reported prevalence of eczema, diagnosed food allergy, pet keeping and dietary factors in infants in western Sweden in 2004–2005: the Infants of Western Sweden Study
n (%)
Eczema (n = 4953)
    At 6 months692 (13.9)
    At 12 months1033 (20.9)
Food allergy (n = 4944)
    Any food allergy241 (4.9)
        Cow’s milk194 (3.9)
        Eggs126 (2.5)
        Fruit or vegetables41 (0.83)
        Cereals18 (0.36)
        Fish14 (0.28)
        Soy protein12 (0.24)
        Peanuts10 (0.20)
        Peas9 (0.18)
        Nuts or almonds8 (0.16)
Pets in the home (n = 4987)
    Cat1076 (21.6)
    Dog729 (14.6)
    Rodent162 (3.2)
    Bird113 (2.3)
Main type of fat on bread (n = 4893)
    Butter3488 (71.3)
    Margarine1164 (23.8)
    Nil241 (4.9)
Frequency of lactic acid (yoghurt, fermented vegetables,
etc) in the diet (n = 4929)
    3+ Times/week2497 (50.7)
    1–3 Times/week1439 (29.2)
    1–3 Times/month531 (10.8)
    Occasionally161 (3.3)
    Never301 (6.1)
Frequency of fish consumption (n = 4953)
    3+ Times a week250 (5.0)
    1–3 Times a week2995 (60.5)
    1–3 Times a month1296 (26.2)
    A few times a year217 (4.4)
    Never195 (3.9)
Type of fish usually consumed (n = 4473)
    Lean fish (cod, haddock)3516 (78.6)
    Salmon772 (17.3)
    Flatfish140 (3.1)
    Mackerel or herring45 (1.0)