Gene-environment interactions and airway disease in children.
Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood in the United States, affecting nearly 6.5 million children. The prevalence and severity of childhood asthma have continued to increase over the past 2 decades, despite major advances in the recognition and treatment of this condition. Representing a heterogeneous collection of airway diseases, asthma has multiple pathologic processes resulting from the interactions of genetic susceptibility and environmental exposures. Preventing and treating airway disease in children will require new research approaches to understanding these complex interactions.
Schwartz
David A
DA
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, PO Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA. david.schwartz@niehs.nih.gov
D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000009:adverse effects; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012424:Rural Population; D014505:Urban Population
D000485:Allergens; D004731:Endotoxins