BACKGROUND: Recent increases in the prevalence of @entity565 and atopy emphasise the need for devising effective methods for primary prevention in @entity1 at high risk of atopy. METHOD: A birth cohort of genetically at risk @entity1 was recruited in 1990 to a randomised controlled study. Allergen avoidance measures were instituted from birth in the prophylactic group (n=58). @entity1 were either breast fed with mother on a low allergen diet or given an extensively hydrolysed formula. Exposure to house dust mite was reduced by the use of an acaricide and mattress covers. The control group (n=62) followed standard advice as normally given by the health visitors. At age 8, all 120 @entity1 completed a questionnaire and 110 (92%) had all assessments (skin prick test, spirometry, and bronchial challenges). RESULTS: In the prophylactic group eight @entity1 (13.8%) had current wheeze compared with 17 (27.4%) in the control group (p=0.08). Respective figures were eight (13.8%) and 20 (32.3%) for nocturnal cough (p=0.02) and 11 of 55 (20.0%) and 29 of 62 (46.8%) for atopy (p=0.003). After adjusting for confounding variables, the prophylactic group was found to be at a significantly reduced risk for current wheeze (odds ratio (OR) 0.26 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.07 to 0.96)), nocturnal cough (OR 0.22 (95% CI 0.06 to 0.83)), @entity565 as defined by wheeze and @entity2488 (OR 0.11 (95% CI 0.01 to 1.02)), and atopy (OR 0.21 (95% CI 0.07 to 0.62)). CONCLUSION: Strict allergen avoidance in infancy in high risk @entity1 reduces the development of @entity56 to house dust mite. Our results suggest that this may prevent some cases of childhood @entity565 .

Primary prevention of XXXX and atopy during childhood by allergen avoidance in infancy: a randomised controlled study.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['children', 'infants', 'Infants'] @entity565 :: ('MESH:D001249', 'Disease') :: ['asthma'] @entity56 :: ('MESH:D004342', 'Disease') :: ['allergic sensitisation'] @entity2488 :: ('MESH:D001982', 'Disease') :: ['bronchial hyperresponsiveness']
@entity565 :: (MESH:D001249,Disease) :: ['asthma']
