Childhood Asthma, Allergies Traced to Womb
At least some of the biological risk for childhood asthma and allergies traces back to the womb, new research suggests.
Both the order of birth and even the way a baby is delivered have a significant impact on the long-term strength of a child's allergic defenses, scientists say.
The findings were recently presented during the American Thoracic Society's International Conference, in Toronto.
At the meeting, one team of scientists said it had evidence indicating that when a specific genetic marker for allergic and asthmatic development is present among a first-born child, it appears to raise the risk for allergic conditions as far as 10 years down the road. However, when the exact same marker is present in a family's second or third child, the gene seems to have exactly the opposite effect -- actually lowering such risk.
"This is the first time it has been demonstrated that birth order can affect the behavior of genes related to asthma and allergies, and that birth order can therefore affect the risk for developing one or the other," said study author Dr. Wilfried Karmaus, a professor in the department of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.
Both the order of birth and even the way a baby is delivered have a significant impact on the long-term strength of a child's allergic defenses, scientists say.
The findings were recently presented during the American Thoracic Society's International Conference, in Toronto.
At the meeting, one team of scientists said it had evidence indicating that when a specific genetic marker for allergic and asthmatic development is present among a first-born child, it appears to raise the risk for allergic conditions as far as 10 years down the road. However, when the exact same marker is present in a family's second or third child, the gene seems to have exactly the opposite effect -- actually lowering such risk.
"This is the first time it has been demonstrated that birth order can affect the behavior of genes related to asthma and allergies, and that birth order can therefore affect the risk for developing one or the other," said study author Dr. Wilfried Karmaus, a professor in the department of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.
posted by bloggerking at 3:50 PM
2 Comments:
having allergy is normal to everyone,but in case of allergy attacks,we can avoid it by allergy kits,no side effect and doctors recommended.
Here is a link to more information about the genetics of Asthma that was prepared by our genetic counselor and which has links to some useful resource for those dealing with this condition: http://www.accessdna.com/condition/Asthma/409. There is also a number listed for anyone who wants to speak to a genetic counselor by phone. I hope it helps. Thanks, AccessDNA
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