MILWAUKEE, April 15 /PRNewswire/ -- An asthma intervention program resulted in a 60% decrease in persistent asthma in children at two years of age, according to a study featured in the April 2004 Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (JACI). The JACI is the peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI).
Allan Becker, MD, University of Manitoba and colleagues, enrolled 545 high risk infants on the basis of an immediate family history of asthma into a multifaceted intervention program. The children were randomized into intervention and control groups. Intervention measures included avoiding house dust mites, pets and second hand smoke. Mothers in the intervention group breast-fed longer and delayed introduction of solid food. Also, significantly fewer children in the intervention group were in day care.
The study found that significantly fewer of the children in the intervention group developed asthma compared to the control group (16.3% vs. 23.0%) at two years of age. Also, the intervention resulted in a 60% decrease in persistent asthma. Researchers also noted that significantly fewer children had recurrent wheezing in the intervention group.
Researchers concluded that an intervention focused on decreasing exposure to inhalant and ingested allergens, and tobacco smoke was effective in significantly reducing the incidence of asthma at two years of age.
The AAAAI is the largest professional medical specialty organization in the United States representing allergists, asthma specialists, clinical immunologists, allied health professionals and others with a special interest in the research and treatment of allergic disease. Established in 1943, the AAAAI has nearly 6,000 members in the United States, Canada and 60 other countries. The AAAAI serves as an advocate to the public by providing educational information through its Web site at http://www.aaaai.org/ or the toll-free physician referral and information line at 1-800-822-2762.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and ImmunologyCONTACT: John Gardner, jgardner@aaaai.org , or Trisha Downs,tdowns@aaaai.org , both of AAAAI, +1-414-272-6071
Web site: http://www.aaaai.org/
