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Mothers can cut asthma risk in baby by avoiding fish, nuts and dairy, says study Mothers can cut asthma risk in baby by avoiding fish, nuts and dairy, says study
(6 months later)
Mothers can greatly reduce the risk of their baby developing asthma by not eating fish, nuts or dairy products during their child's first year of life and vigorously tackling house dust mites, new research suggests.Mothers can greatly reduce the risk of their baby developing asthma by not eating fish, nuts or dairy products during their child's first year of life and vigorously tackling house dust mites, new research suggests.
Taking such steps can result in a "persistent and significant reduction in asthma throughout childhood" among children with close relatives who suffer or have suffered from it, according to the NHS-funded study.Taking such steps can result in a "persistent and significant reduction in asthma throughout childhood" among children with close relatives who suffer or have suffered from it, according to the NHS-funded study.
Results from research which tracked the health of 120 young people on the Isle of Wight from their birth in 1990 found that 11% of those whose parents had followed the advice had asthma by the time they turned 18 – the UK average – compared with 26% of another group the same age whose families had not taken such precautions.Results from research which tracked the health of 120 young people on the Isle of Wight from their birth in 1990 found that 11% of those whose parents had followed the advice had asthma by the time they turned 18 – the UK average – compared with 26% of another group the same age whose families had not taken such precautions.
The findings, reported on Thursday in the medical journal Thorax, may prompt parents to consider using such strategies to reduce their risk of their newborn child becoming asthmatic, especially if they have the condition themselves or have an older child who has it.The findings, reported on Thursday in the medical journal Thorax, may prompt parents to consider using such strategies to reduce their risk of their newborn child becoming asthmatic, especially if they have the condition themselves or have an older child who has it.
"Comprehensive allergen avoidance in the first year of life is effective in preventing asthma onset in individuals considered at high risk due to heredity," concluded researchers in Southampton and on the Isle of Wight led by Professor Hasan Arshad, a consultant in allergy at Southampton general hospital."Comprehensive allergen avoidance in the first year of life is effective in preventing asthma onset in individuals considered at high risk due to heredity," concluded researchers in Southampton and on the Isle of Wight led by Professor Hasan Arshad, a consultant in allergy at Southampton general hospital.
They looked at 120 children at high risk of having allergic disorders because either both parents were asthma sufferers or one parent and a sibling were. Fifty-eight of them were either breastfed or given a special low-allergy formula milk until they were nine months old, and their mothers strictly avoided eating dairy products, eggs, soya, fish and shellfish and peanuts and tree nuts. Their bedding was wrapped in vinyl covers to reduce exposure to dust mites, and acaricide, a pesticide that kills mites, was used in their home. Families of the other 62 children did not follow the same regime.They looked at 120 children at high risk of having allergic disorders because either both parents were asthma sufferers or one parent and a sibling were. Fifty-eight of them were either breastfed or given a special low-allergy formula milk until they were nine months old, and their mothers strictly avoided eating dairy products, eggs, soya, fish and shellfish and peanuts and tree nuts. Their bedding was wrapped in vinyl covers to reduce exposure to dust mites, and acaricide, a pesticide that kills mites, was used in their home. Families of the other 62 children did not follow the same regime.
At the age of 18 six of the 56 remaining in the first group who were tested had asthma (10.7%) compared with 15 (25.9%) of the remaining 58 in the control group. "Our study provides evidence that a combined dietary and environmental allergen-avoidance strategy in the first year of life is successful as a primary prevention strategy for asthmas in high-risk individuals, with benefits persisting into early adulthood," the authors say.At the age of 18 six of the 56 remaining in the first group who were tested had asthma (10.7%) compared with 15 (25.9%) of the remaining 58 in the control group. "Our study provides evidence that a combined dietary and environmental allergen-avoidance strategy in the first year of life is successful as a primary prevention strategy for asthmas in high-risk individuals, with benefits persisting into early adulthood," the authors say.
But Asthma UK said that the study's findings were "not conclusive" and that the strategies it recommends may not prove effective.But Asthma UK said that the study's findings were "not conclusive" and that the strategies it recommends may not prove effective.
"Parents can try reducing their babies' exposure to allergens like house dust mites, but they should be aware that there are no guarantees that this will work. Parents who are concerned about their child being at risk of developing asthma or allergies should speak to their GP or asthma nurse," said Malayka Rahman, the charity's research officer."Parents can try reducing their babies' exposure to allergens like house dust mites, but they should be aware that there are no guarantees that this will work. Parents who are concerned about their child being at risk of developing asthma or allergies should speak to their GP or asthma nurse," said Malayka Rahman, the charity's research officer.
"Research suggests that breast milk is the least likely to trigger an allergic reaction, and it strengthens an infant's immune system," she added. The Department of Health recommends that new mothers breastfeeed exclusively for the first six months to reduce their baby's risk of developing asthma."Research suggests that breast milk is the least likely to trigger an allergic reaction, and it strengthens an infant's immune system," she added. The Department of Health recommends that new mothers breastfeeed exclusively for the first six months to reduce their baby's risk of developing asthma.
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