Prevention of allergic respiratory disease in infants: current aspects and future perspectives.
OBJECTIVE
Primary and secondary prevention of severe atopic disease exemplified by atopic asthma represents an increasingly prominent focus of research in paediatric allergy. We review below the rationale for this approach and recent progress in development and testing of a range of potential preventive strategies.


RESULTS
The principal areas reviewed relate to potential and currently available treatments targeting enhancement of overall immune functions, allergen-specific immunomodulation and respiratory viral infections, particularly during early childhood.


CONCLUSIONS
The scientific rationale for prophylaxis of atopic diseases via early intervention strategies targeting young children is increasingly supported by findings from the experimental and clinical literature and significant progress may be expected in the mid-term future.
Holt
Patrick G
PG
Division of Cell Biology, Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. patrick@ichr.uwa.edu.au
Sly
Peter D
PD
D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology