Pets may guard against inherited predisposition to allergy
6 September 2002
Exposure to pets may protect babies against later atopy, a prospective US study says. (Atopy is an inherited tendency to allergic reactions.)
The study of nearly 500 children found exposure to 2 or more cats or dogs in the first year of life halved the risk of developing allergic sensitisation by the age of 6 or 7 years, compared with having one or no pets (Journal of the American Medical Association 2002; 288: 963-72).
Children exposed to pets in babyhood were less likely to be sensitised to dog and cat allergens, house dust mites, pollens and moulds.
The study added to growing evidence that exposure to animals as an infant protected against, rather than increased, the risk of later allergy, as was once believed, Perth paediatric immunologist Associate Professor Susan Prescott said.
But the findings should not lead parents to rush out and buy pets before having a baby, she said. The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy did not recommend for or against pets, she said.
'If the child is at increased risk of allergy — if one or more parents has allergic disease — then they are already at risk of developing sensitivities,' Professor Prescott said.
| The fight against mites |
|---|
|
Anti-allergic mattress covers fail to improve lung function or reduce medication in people with asthma, a new study shows. Dutch researchers conducted a year-long, placebo-controlled trial among 30 patients with moderate to severe asthma and dust mite allergy (Thorax 2002; 57: 784-90). Treatment decreased nasal symptoms, but there was no significant difference between that group and the placebo (dummy treatment) group. |
Last Reviewed: 09 September 2002
- 1. Medical Observer Weekly 6/9/02
