Questions cover everything from family history of asthma and allergies to dust control, use of humidifiers and presence of pets. The parents will also keep calendars noting any symptoms of illness that occur as well as physician visits and treatments. Also the calendar will let us know the exact day a symptom appears that might indicate a health concern and allow us to track it over time. It's a very thorough, very accurate study. According to Dr. David Wong, a P.E.1 respiratory specialist.
Infants are particularly susceptible to effects of indoor air pollutants.
Children play right on the floor. As they jump and tumble they tend to disturb more dust and other harmful particles from the floor, especially from carpets. And with their activities they are taking more breaths per minute and inhaling more particles than adults. Also, their bronchial tubes are much smaller, so any swelling will narrow them much more than in adults. Infants with a strong family history of asthma and allergies are particularly vulnerable to contaminants in the air they breathe, says Dr. Allan Becker, a pediatric allergy consultant with the Children's Hospital in Winnipeg.