Prospects for the prevention of allergy in children

Current Opinion in Pediatrics

Volumn 8, Issue 6, 1996, Pages 601-605

  Wood, Robert A ^a  

^a JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL   (United States)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

ALLERGIC REACTION; ALLERGY; ATOPY; CHILD; DIET; FOOD ALLERGY; HOUSE DUST ALLERGY; HUMAN; INFANT FEEDING; PRIORITY JOURNAL; REVIEW;

EID: 0030459723     PISSN: 10408703     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1097/00008480-199612000-00010     Document Type: Review

References (22)

1. Odelram H, Bjorksten B, Leander E, Kjellmen N-IM: Predictors of atopy in newborn babies. Allergy 1995, 50:585-592. This study evaluated a variety of predictive factors for allergy, including family history, skin dryness, erythema toxicum, skin reactivity to histamine, and IgE levels, eosinophil counts, leukocyte counts, and platelet counts in umbilical cord blood. The efficiency for any test never exceeded 58%. Although no single test appeared suitable for general screening, if infants had a combination of dry skin, a history including two or more atopic family members, and an elevated cord blood IgE level, their probability of developing allergy rose to 89%.
2. Croner S, Kjellman N-IM: Development of atopic disease in relation to family history and cord blood IgE levels: eleven year follow-up in 1654 children. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 1990, 1:14-18.
3. Lubs M-LE: Empiric risks for genetic counseling in children with allergy. J Pediatr 1972, 80:26-31.
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5. Businco L, Cantani A, Farinella F, Businco E: Month of birth and grass pollen or mite sensitization in children with respiratory allergy. Clin Allergy 1988, 18:269-274.
6. Holt PG, McMenamin C, Nelson D: Primary sensitization to inhalant allergens during infancy. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 1990, 1:3-13.
7. Smith JM, Springett VH: Atopic disease and month of birth. Clin Allergy 1979, 9:153-157.
8. Faith-Magnusson K, Kjellman NIM: Development of atopic disease in babies whose mothers were receiving exclusion diet during pregnancy: a randomized study. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1987, 80:868-875.
9. Lilja G, Dannaeus A, Magnusson KF: Immune response of the atopic woman and fetus: effects of high- and low-dose food allergen intake during late pregnancy. Clin Allergy 1988, 18:131-136.
10. Chandra RK, Puri S, Hamed A: Influence of maternal diet during lactation and use of formula feeds on development of atopic eczema in high risk infants. BMJ 1989, 299:228-230.
11. Fergusson DM, Norwood LJ, Shannon FT: Early solid feeding and recurrent childhood eczema: a 10 year longitudinal study. Pediatrics 1990, 86:541-546.
12. Arshad SH, Hide DW: Effect of environmental factors on the development of allergic disorders in infancy. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1992, 90:235-241.
13. Sporik R, Holgate ST, Platts-Mills TAE, Cogswell J: Exposure to house dust mite allergen (Der p I) and the development of asthma in childhood: a prospective study. N Engl J Med 1990, 323:502-506.
14. Dowse GK, Turner KJ, Stewart GA, Alpers MP, Woolcock AJ: The association between Dermatophagoides mites and the increasing prevalence of asthma within the Papua New Guinea highlands. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1985, 75:75-83.
15. Zeiger RS, Heller S, Mellon MH, Forsythe AB, O'Connor RD, Hamburger RN, Schatz M: Effect of combined maternal and infant food-allergen avoidance on development of atopy in early infancy. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1989, 84:72-89.
16. Zeiger RS, Heller S, Mellon MH, Halsey JF, Hamburger RN, Sampson HA: Genetic and environmental factors affecting the development of atopy through age 4 in children of atopic parents: a prospective randomized study of food allergen avoidance. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 1992, 3:110-127.
17. Hattevig G, Kjellman B, Sigurs N, Bjorksten B, Kjellman N-IM: The effect of maternal avoidance of eggs, cow's milk, and fish during lactation upon allergic manifestations in infants. Clin Exp Allergy 1989, 19:27-32.
18. Sigurs N, Hattevig G, Kjellman B: Maternal avoidance of eggs, cow's milk, and fish during lactation: effect on allergic manifestations, skinprick tests, and specific IgE antibodies in children at age 4 years. Pediatrics 1992, 88:739-746.
19. Arshad SH, Matthews S, Gant C, Hide DW: Effect of allergen avoidance on development of allergic disorders in infancy. Lancet 1992, 339:1493-1497.
20. Hide DW, Matthews S, Matthews L, Stevens M, Ridout S, Twiselton R, Gant C, Arshad SH: Effect of allergen avoidance in infancy on allergic manifestations at two years of age. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1994, 93:842-846.
21. Zeiger RS, Heller S: The development and prediction of atopy in high-risk children: follow-up at age seven years in a prospective randomized study of combined maternal and infant food allergen avoidance. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1995, 95:1179-1190. This is a 7-year follow-up of a prospective study of combined maternal and infant allergen avoidance. Although the authors found that there was a significant reduction in food allergy and milk sensitization through 2 years of age, these differences subsequently disappeared and at age 7 there were no differences in food allergy, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, asthma, lung function, IgE level, or food or aeroallergen sensitization.
22. Saarinen UM, Kajosaari M: Breastfeeding as prophylaxis against atopic disease: prospective follow-up study until 17 years old. Lancet 1995, 346:1065-1069. This study specifically evaluated the protective effects of breastfeeding against atopic disease. The authors followed 236 healthy Finnish infants enrolled in 1975 until the age of 17 years. The subjects were divided into three groups: prolonged breastfeeding (> 6 months), intermediate breastfeeding (1 to 6 months), and short or no breastfeeding (< 1 month). When the subjects were 17 years of age, significant differences were seen in the prevalence of both atopy and substantial atopy. Atopy was observed in 42%, 36%, and 65% of the prolonged, intermediate, and short or no breastfeeding groups, respectively, and substantial atopy was seen in 8%, 23%, and 54%, respectively.