title: Early identification of atopy in the prediction of persistent asthma in children.
abstract: The long-term solution to the asthma epidemic is thought to be prevention, and not treatment of established disease. Atopic asthma arises from gene-environment interactions, which mainly take place during a short period in prenatal and postnatal development. These interactions are not completely understood, and hence primary prevention remains an elusive goal. We argue that primary-care physicians, paediatricians, and specialists lack knowledge of the role of atopy in early life in the development of persistent asthma in children. In this review, we discuss how early identification of children at high risk is feasible on the basis of available technology and important for potential benefits to the children. Identification of an asthmatic child's atopic status in early life has practical clinical and prognostic implications, and sets the basis for future preventative strategies.
authors.affiliation: Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Sly
authors.forename: Attilio L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Boner
authors.forename: Bengt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Björksten
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bush
authors.forename: Adnan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Custovic
authors.forename: Philippe A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Eigenmann
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Gern
authors.forename: Jorrit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gerritsen
authors.forename: Eckard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hamelmann
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Helms
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Lemanske
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.forename: Soren
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Renz
authors.forename: Hugh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sampson
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: von Mutius
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Wahn
authors.forename: Patrick G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Holt
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000145:classification; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D010641:Phenotype; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens