Dr. Brauer has been closely following current research from the Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study. In this study, her colleagues have been monitoring children from birth and it seems they may be able to identify children at risk of asthma by pinpointing their childhood allergies.

Risk factors for the development of asthma seem to be having a parent who has asthma, a history of viral wheezing in early childhood, and eczema. Gender may also have an effect, as boys are more likely to have problems than girls.

In this study, a total of almost 500 children were tested at ages 1, 2, 3, and 4 to common indoor allergens (cat, dog, dust mites, and cockroach). Children were then given traditional breathing tests as well.

Kids in the study with increased skin test positives to cat and dust mites year after year were more likely to have asthma developed by age 7. Other allergens didn’t seem to make much difference in asthma risk.

Families with wheezing children typically want to know how long the wheezing will last and “is it asthma?” This study is just another step in trying to figure out this process. Frequently, Dr. Brauer asks questions about eczema and family history, and makes plans to skin test to indoor allergens in young children with a history of wheezing. This study confirms our processes to help our families have more information and hopefully make symptoms more manageable with less medication over the long run.

Stay tuned for future updates!, and eczema. Our study adds that specific patterns of allergic sensitization can be related