Daycare Doubles Early Respiratory Problems, Does Not Prevent Later Asthma And Allergy
New research hints that the common belief that kids who go to daycare have lower rates of asthma and allergy later in life might be nothing more than wishful thinking. While young children in daycare definitely do get more illnesses and experience more respiratory symptoms as a result, any perceived protection these exposures afford against asthma and allergy seem to disappear by the time the child hits the age of eight. "We found no evidence for a protective or harmful effect of daycare on the development of asthma symptoms, allergic sensitization, or airway hyper-responsiveness at the age of eight years, " wrote Johan C de Jongste, M.D., Ph.D., of Erasmus University in the Netherlands and principle investigator of the study.
Day Care Doubles Early Respiratory Problems, Does Not Prevent Later Asthma And Allergy
New research hints that the common belief that kids who go to daycare have lower rates of asthma and allergy later in life might be nothing more than wishful thinking. While young children in daycare definitely do get more illnesses and experience more respiratory symptoms as a result, any perceived protection these exposures afford against asthma and allergy seem to disappear by the time the child hits the age of eight. "We found no evidence for a protective or harmful effect of daycare on the development of asthma symptoms, allergic sensitization, or airway hyper-responsiveness at the age of eight years, " wrote Johan C de Jongste, M.D., Ph.D., of Erasmus University in the Netherlands and principle investigator of the study.
Chlorinated Pools Increase Risk Of Allergic Diseases
Chlorine is effective at killing pathogens in swimming pools, but it also irritates the skin, eyes and upper respiratory tract of swimmers. Recent research has found swimming in outdoor or indoor chlorinated pools can increase asthma risks. The study, "Impact of Chlorinated Swimming Pool Attendance on the Respiratory Health of Adolescents" found that children who swam in chlorinated pools had a higher risk of asthma, as well as other allergic diseases such as hay fever and allergic rhinitis. Researchers in Belgium compared the health of adolescents who swam in chlorinated pools to adolescents who swam in pools sanitized with a concentration of copper and silver.
STALLERGENES: Immunotherapy Tablet Containing Recombinant Allergen rBet V 1 Of Birch Pollen: Positive Results For A Phase IIb III Trial
Stallergenes S.A. has announced the first results of a new phase IIb/III clinical trial (VO59.08) conducted in allergic rhinitis caused by birch pollen and concerning the development of a sublingual immunotherapy tablet containing the recombinant allergen of this pollen, rBet v 1. This study is the first ever to use a recombinant allergen as an active substance. To Stallergenes' knowledge, the use of a recombinant protein in dry form is also a world first. The VO59.08 study, conducted during the 2009 pollen season, was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. It included 483 adult patients allergic to birch pollen and suffering from rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms in 30 centers in 8 different countries.
Asthma UK Comment On The Link Between Chlorinated Swimming Pools And Asthma
Dr Elaine Vickers, Research Relations Manager at Asthma UK, says: 'There are a few studies which suggest that the chemicals present in indoor swimming pools, like chlorine, may be involved in the development or worsening of asthma and other allergic conditions. This is due to the fact that the chemicals in the water may compromise protective cell barriers within the lungs, meaning people with allergic asthma are more vulnerable to allergens. 'However, asthma develops as a result of a complex mix of genetic and environmental factors, so more research is needed in this area before we can make a conclusive link between asthma and the use of chemicals in swimming pools.
Health Canada Updating Proposal For Food Allergen Regulatory Amendments Based On Consultation Results
In July 2008, Health Canada published in Canada Gazette, Part I proposed regulatory amendments for the labelling of food allergens, gluten sources and added sulphites. The department has now reviewed the comments received and is publishing documents detailing some of the changes being made to the proposal as a result of the consultations. As a result of the over 140 comments received up until early December 2008 following the publication of the proposed regulatory amendment in Canada Gazette, Part I in July 2008, Health Canada has made several decisions and changes to its regulatory proposal to address concerns raised by stakeholders and Canadian consumers.
Increase In Allergies Among Youth
Asthma, nasal symptoms and eczema is a major public health problem in Sweden, not least among young people. Half of all teenagers are affected in VГ stra GГ taland County in West Sweden. This is shown in a study conducted in 2008 by the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, on the request of the Public Health Committee, Region VГ stra GГ taland. The study also shows that the prevalence of allergies among young people has increased by ten percentage points since the year 2000. The study includes all residents of VГ stra GГ taland County (pop. 1.5 million) born in 1992, and is a follow-up to a similar study conducted in 2000. The results show that 49 percent of the teenagers suffer from physician-diagnosed asthma, nasal symptoms or atopic eczema.
Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Lung Disease On The Rise In The United States, Study Finds
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental organisms found in both water and soil that can cause severe pulmonary (lung) disease in humans. Pulmonary NTM is on the rise in the United States, according to a large study of people hospitalized with the condition. A research team led by epidemiologists from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, analyzed hospital discharge records of patients in 11 states whose combined total population represents 42 percent of the country. They reviewed database records spanning 1998 to 2005, and identified more than 16, 475 hospitalizations associated with pulmonary NTM in people without AIDS.
U.S. Needs Nearly 200 Million More On Climate-related Health Research
A recent commentary suggests that the U.S. should spend roughly $197 million more than it currently does to research the impact of climate change on public health. The analysis found that the U.S. spends about $3 million in federal funds on research related to the health impacts of climate change, says Marie S. O'Neill, one of the commentary co-authors. This isn't nearly enough to adequately address the public health issues related to global warming, the group concluded. The commentary's lead author was Kristie Ebi, a University of Michigan-trained epidemiologist and expert on climate change and public health, who is an adjunct professor of Environmental Health Sciences.
Gut Worms May Protect Against House-dust Mite Allergy
A study conducted in Vietnam has added further weight to the view that parasitic gut worms, such as hookworm, could help in the prevention and treatment of asthma and other allergies. Led by Dr Carsten Flohr, a Clinical Scientist from The University of Nottingham, and Dr Luc Nguyen Tuyen from the Khanh Hoa Provincial Health Service in central Vietnam, the study is the largest double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial to date looking at the potential links between hookworm and other gut worm infections and allergic conditions such as asthma and eczema. Thanks to improved hygiene practices parasitic worms have been mostly eradicated among human populations living in developed countries.