The premise of the study was that children who are exposed to more children early in life-a measure of exposure to infection, are less likely to develop asthma and allergies later in childhood, than children with less exposure 1.

Dr. Thomas Ball and colleagues, at the University of Arizona, College of Medicine, in Tucson studied 1246 children followed since birth for up to 13 years. 1035 parents completed at least one questionnaire about their child’s respiratory status, in the previous year, at years 6, 8, 11 and 13 and 996 parents provided information on daycare attendance. Additional 585 children were tested with allergens at years 6 and 11.

Children with a lower incidence of asthma and wheezing also had a low prevalence of high IgE concentrations and skin reactivity to allergens. These children were more likely to have started daycare before 6-months of age and have 2 or more siblings at home, than children who started daycare after 1 year of age and have fewer than 2 siblings at home. However, those children who did not develop asthma were more likely to experience more wheezing, signaling infection, at year 2 than those children who later developed asthma.

Dr. Sandra Christiansen 2, Scripps Research Institute, suggests that, “the relation between asthma an exposures in early life probably reflects the effect of these exposures on the developing immune system.” The immune system an infant is born with changes in response to exposure to environmental factors, including bacteria. These environmental factors teach the immune system effective responses to fight infection. But without exposure, the immune system does not learn how to fight germs and build tolerance, and instead relies on the original incompetent immune response. This learning period is time sensitive, for asthma anyway, it must take place within the first 6-month of life.

Asthma Facts

More than 5000 deaths a year are caused by Asthma, with children under the age of 18 making up 4.8 million of the 14.6 million who suffer from this chronic respiratory disease. Symptoms of asthma include cough, wheezing, and tightness of the chest and shortness of breath. Although there is no genetic basis for asthma, there is an inherited predisposition-asthma runs in families. The exact cause of asthma is unknown.

Several variables are know to trigger an asthma attack including: allergies to pets, dust-mites, pollens, fungus and some foods; pollutants like cigarette smoke and car exhaust; exercise especially in cold temperatures; a virus or infection; emotional reactions like fear and anger and some medications like aspirin and anti-inflammatory medication.

Asthma can be effectively managed and children and adults can lead relatively normal, active lives. Quality medical education and the development of behaviors that support recognition of asthma symptoms and their treatment are essential to breathing well. Ask your doctor about Asthma Management Programs. Most health care providers offer medical education about asthma.