Allergic babies

By Dr M. YADAV
 

ALLERGIC diseases represent a major and increasing health problem in industrialised countries. Over the past five decades, the prevalence of allergic diseases has increased dramatically and the incidence has doubled in the last 20 years in most industrialised countries.

In some countries, for example Australia and Sweden, 40% of young children have allergic disorders.

In Malaysia, about 30% of young children are likely to develop allergic disorders in the first five years of life.

The most common allergic conditions in children and infants are food allergies, eczema, asthma and allergic rhinitis. Allergies are often life-long and although treatable, they tend to recur if the triggers are not strictly avoided. Some food allergies spontaneously improve within three years but are often replaced by respiratory allergies. Thus, it makes sense to try to prevent the development of allergies in early life than trying to treat them later.

Hence, there is great interest to identify the risk factors associated with the development of allergic disorders in early life and modify them to reduce subsequent risks for development of allergy.