Visible Mold Puts Infants at Risk for Asthma Development

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" Of the 483 children in this study, almost half (7 of 16) with high

visible mold at home had a positive API, and one-third (4 of 11) had

atopic wheezing. Of the total cohort, 203 children (42 percent) had

aeroallergen sensitization and 19 (3.9 percent) had mold

sensitization. "

I must be missing something. Is this study saying that out of 483 children

for a mold study, only 16 had visible mold growth in their homes? 203

children were exposed to what that had aeroallergen sensitization? 19 that were

exposed to what - visible mold or non-visible mold - had sensitization? I

think I must just not understand what these numbers represent.

Sharon K.

In a message dated 2/18/2009 12:42:43 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,

tigerpaw2c@... writes:

Visible Mold Puts Infants at Risk for Asthma Development

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ASTHMA MOLD INFANTS AIR POLLUTION SMOKING

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(http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/549308/)

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Visible Mold Puts Infants at Risk for Asthma Development

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Medical News Keywords

ASTHMA MOLD INFANTS AIR POLLUTION SMOKING

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http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/549308/

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Description

Visible mold exposure early in life may be a strong risk factor for

early asthma development, but exposure to mold components with no

visible mold present may have an opposite effect according

investigators from the University of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati

Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study (CCAAPS).

Newswise — Visible mold exposure early in life may be a strong risk

factor for early asthma development, but exposure to mold components

with no visible mold present may have an opposite effect according to

a study published this month in ls of Allergy, Asthma &

Immunology, the scientific journal of the American College of

Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).

Investigators from the University of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati

Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study (CCAAPS) found children at

age 3 years with high visible mold in the home during infancy,

evaluated through home inspection, were 7 times more likely to have a

positive Asthma Predictive Index (API) criteria. In contrast, those

with exposure to fungal components – or (1-3)-â-D-Glucan, a measure

of biologically active exposure – were at a decreased risk. The study

included a birth cohort of children born to atopic parents.

Previous studies have shown that home dampness and visible mold are

associated with the severity of respiratory symptoms in children, but

few studies have investigated whether exposure to dampness or visible

mold enhance risk for development of asthma in young children, Yulia

Y. Iossifova, M.D., Ph.D., and colleagues report.

" The unique aspect of this study is that we did not rely on parental

reports of mold, " said Tiina Reponen, Ph.D., professor of

Environmental Health at the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati,

Ohio. " Instead, the homes were evaluated by trained teams before the

child's first birthday. After this, the children were prospectively

followed by annual clinic visits to evaluate their respiratory

health. "

According to the authors, using standardized evaluation of visible

mold, the study " prospectively demonstrates that exposure to high

visible mold during the first year of life is associated with higher

risk of asthma. This study also shows that an increase in exposure to

high (1-3)-â-D-Glucan concentrations (>133 ìg/g), component of mold,

may decrease the risk of future asthma based on the API. "

Of the 483 children in this study, almost half (7 of 16) with high

visible mold at home had a positive API, and one-third (4 of 11) had

atopic wheezing. Of the total cohort, 203 children (42 percent) had

aeroallergen sensitization and 19 (3.9 percent) had mold

sensitization. Mother's smoking was the second strongest predictor of

future asthma based on the API.

Researchers conclude that " home remediation measures to remove

visible mold and parental smoking cessation may prevent asthma

development in high-risk children. "

Patient information on allergic diseases, including asthma, is

available by calling the ACAAI toll free number at (800) 842-7777 or

visiting its Web site at www.acaai.org.

The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) is a

professional medical organization headquartered in Arlington Heights,

Ill., that promotes excellence in the practice of the subspecialty of

allergy and immunology. The College, comprising more than 5,000

allergists-immunologists and related health care professionals,

fosters a culture of collaboration and congeniality in which its

members work together and with others toward the common goals of

patient care, education, advocacy and research.

Citation: Iossifova YY, Reponen T, et al. Mold exposure during

infancy as a predictor of potential asthma development. Ann Allergy

Asthma Immunol 2009;102:131-137.

ls of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology is online at

www.annallergy.org.