| Study: Link between Childhood Allergies, Asthma Symptoms, and Exposure to Cats |
| In a study published in the April edition of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, researchers sought to evaluate the relationship between cat ownership and the development of early sensitization and wheeze. Using a prospective birth cohort study, Dominican and African American mothers living in New York City underwent repeated questionnaires about their child from birth to age 5 years – samples were also collected from the child for antibody analysis. The results showed that cat ownership may have a protective effect against the development of asthma symptoms in young children at age five. Children with cats in the home were more likely to have made allergy-related antibodies to cats. This finding suggests that prolonged cat ownership and early life exposure to cats may have a protective effect against early asthma indicators, such as wheeze, as children reach age five. To view an article about the study, visit http://fridayletter.asph.org/article_view.cfm?FLE_Index=7361&FL_Index=1518# and to view the abstract, visit http://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(08)00352-7/abstract. |
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| Date posted: 06-05-2008 |
| Posted by: Regional Asthma Management and Prevention Initiative |
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