Primary Prevention of Allergic Diseases in Childhood

Abstract

Atopic diseases are on the rise worldwide in both prevalence and severity. For instance, asthma is the most common chronic childhood disease in the developed nations. Genetic predisposition and environmental factors play the major role in the development of allergy. Many studies have been performed to identify children who may be at risk for developing allergic diseases. Ideally, the identification method should predict atopy at birth so that methods to reduce sensitization can be implemented. Many immunologic markers have been examined, including umblical cord lgE, eosinophil counting, cord blood cytokines and of course the presence of family history of atopy. Strategies to promote primary prevention have met great difficulty because of limitations in knowledge, societal compliance, and resources. The extent to which atopic risk factors are amenable to preventive modulation depends upon the factors such as atopic heredity, male gender, and nonwhite ethnicity cannot be modulated, whereas factors such as low socioeconomic status, and urban residence require great effort to modulate. Other risk factors, conductive and fruitful for modulation include low atopic health consciousness and early introduction of allergenic foods during infancy .Breast milk is an optimal