Serum carotenoid and tocopherol concentrations and risk of asthma in childhood: a nested case–control study

Abstract

The current findings do not support the suggestion that the increased prevalence of asthma may be a consequence of decreased intake of antioxidant nutrients. Moreover, we did not confirm any critical time window of impact of antioxidants on asthma risk. Replication of these findings in similar longitudinal settings will strengthen this evidence base.

Vitamin A and D in allergy: from experimental animal models and cellular studies to human disease

“…Studies in neonate mice predict that there could exist a “window of opportunity” for prevention of allergic diseases by vitamins A and D. This is reflected in human studies concentrating on the maternal vitamin A or D status that can be of importance for reducing the development of allergic diseases in children [ 53 – 55 ]. On the other hand, application of vitamin A as aerosol to asthmatic children was of no benefit [ 56 ], and no association between serum carotenoids and risk of asthma in young children could be established in a recently published longitudinal study [ 57 ]. Therefore, primary randomized controlled trials of the use of vitamin A to prevent or treat asthma that could elucidate the role of this vitamin in the human allergic disease are still missing.…”

Early exposure to cats, dogs and farm animals and the risk of childhood asthma and allergy

“…21 Furthermore, the absolute risk of type 1 diabetes up to the age of 15 years in the DIPP Nutrition Study is 3-4 times that of the general Finnish population. 21,22 Our well-defined birth cohort with a relatively large sample size drawn from two university hospitals where large proportions of births occur in Finland was not based on a positive familial history of asthma. These minimize the potential selection bias toward those at high risk for allergy.…”

“…The cumulative incidence of asthma in the DIPP Nutrition Study also compares with the general Finnish population of children this age. 22 Moreover, our modified ISAAC questionnaire has also been validated to capture asthma compared with clinical diagnosis reliably. 23 These, together with our high retention rates, strengthen the internal validity of our study and provide a reliable picture of findings among similar populations.…”

“…However, the association between HLA genes and asthma remains mixed as both increased risk and reduced risk have been reported . Furthermore, the absolute risk of type 1 diabetes up to the age of 15 years in the DIPP Nutrition Study is 3‐4 times that of the general Finnish population …”

Developments in the field of allergy in 2017 through the eyes of Clinical and Experimental Allergy

“…Infant feeding patterns 59 as well as dietary antioxidant 60,61 and subsequent allergic disease have also been in focus in 2017 Clinical and Experimental Allergy, along with risks of asthma in overweight children. 62 Two interesting articles have focused on maternal distress or psychiatric symptoms before and during pregnancy, and later risk of childhood eczema or atopic disease.…”