Asthma detection linked to pollen levels
Babies whose first months of life coincide with high pollen season are more likely to contract asthma, reports The Independent.
The research carried out in California showed that air levels of fungal and mould spores increased in November and December, and babies born during these months were more likely to have developed symptoms of asthma by age two. Those born during March and April, when pollen was at it’s highest, also gave a greater risk of wheezing.
Study leader Dr Kim Harley, from the University of California at Berkeley, said: “Until our paper, there were very little data about exposure to allergens in the air, which we know can trigger symptoms for those who already have asthma. This is the first study to look at the potential role of early life exposure to multiple outdoor fungal and pollen groups in the development of asthma.”
It is hoped these developments will help diagnose and treat asthma earlier, as currently it is not normally detected until school age.
