Abstract
Asthma is a chronic disease, characterized by reversible airway obstruction, airway inflammation and hyper-reactivity. The prevalence of asthma has risen dramatically over the past decade, affecting around 300,000,000 people. The etiology is multifactorial, with genetic, epigenetic, developmental and environmental factors playing a role. A complex interaction between the intrauterine environment, the developing immune system, the infant's microbiome and infectious organisms may lead to the development of allergic sensitization and asthma. Thus, a large number of studies have investigated the risk factors for childhood asthma, with a meticulous search of modifiable factors that could aid in primary prevention. We present a current literature review from 2014-2017, as well as older classic publications, on the pathogenesis and the potential modifiable factors for primary prevention of asthma. No ideal preventive measure has yet been found. Rather, creating favorable prenatal and postnatal environments, minimal exposure to hostile environmental factors, prevention of infections in early life, allergic desensitization and nutritional modifications could possibly reduce asthma inception. In the era of personalized medicine, identifying individual risk factors and tailoring specific preventive measures is warranted.
Highlights
Asthma is a chronic disease, characterized by episodes of reversible airflow obstruction
Several studies suggest that the initial wheezing human rhinovirus (HRV) lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) may serve as a marker for asthma tendency, while early-life severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis may have a causative role in the development of asthma[41]
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease, and genetic, infectious, nutritional and environmental factors play a role in its pathogenesis
Summary
Asthma is a chronic disease, characterized by episodes of reversible airflow obstruction. Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) during critical periods of lung development (prenatally, i.e. during pregnancy, and during early life) is considered a substantial risk factor for childhood allergic diseases. Several studies suggest that the initial wheezing HRV LRTI may serve as a marker for asthma tendency, while early-life severe RSV bronchiolitis may have a causative role in the development of asthma[41]. A secondary analysis of the data revealed that the largest protective effect was found in women with higher initial vitamin D levels who were randomized to the intervention group (adjusted OR 0.13; 95% CI 0.02-0.99)[77] This suggests that higher vitamin D levels in early pregnancy may be required for asthma/recurrent wheeze prevention in early life. The data suggest that prenatal as well as postnatal maternal distress may contribute to asthma development in children; lowering early life stress may help decrease asthma
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
