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Prevention and treatment of allergic diseases in children. Influence of genetics, environment and preventive interventions
Introduction
Atopic diseases, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis, are a significant health problem, especially in the pediatric population. Their increasing prevalence and impact on patients' quality of life make them the subject of intensive scientific research and the search for effective prevention and treatment methods. The development and expression of these diseases depend on many factors, including genetic, environmental and interactions between them. Genetic factors can predispose to atopic diseases, but their expression also depends on the environment in which an individual develops. In recent years, we have been gaining a better understanding of the mechanisms leading to atopic diseases and the potential for preventive interventions that can reduce the risk of their onset or severity in children. Research is focusing on both primary prevention, aimed at preventing the development of allergic diseases, and secondary prevention interventions, which reduce the severity of symptoms in children already affected.
Factors influencing the development of atopic diseases
The development of atopic diseases, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis, is the result of a complex interaction of various factors. Genetic factors, environmental factors and interactions between them play a key role. Below are the main factors influencing the development of atopic diseases:
Genetic factors
There is a strong link between a family history of atopic diseases and the risk of developing them in offspring. Children whose parents have suffered from atopic diseases are more likely to develop them. A number of genes associated with predisposition to atopic diseases have been identified, including genes associated with regulation of immune response and allergic reactions.
Environmental exposure to allergens
Contact with allergens such as pollen, house dust mites, animal dander, mold and other fungi can provoke allergic reactions in susceptible individuals. The impact of allergens can be particularly strong during early childhood, when the immune system is still immature.
Adjuvant factors
In addition to allergens, there are non-specific adjuvant factors that can increase the risk of atopic diseases. These include tobacco smoke, air pollution, viral infections and other environmental factors.
Gene-environment interactions
It is important to recognize the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Children who inherit a genetic predisposition to atopic diseases may be more susceptible to environmental influences.
Breastfeeding and infant diet
Breastfeeding for at least the first 4-6 months of life can reduce the risk of atopic diseases in children. The introduction of solid foods and an early childhood diet can also affect the development of the immune system and the risk of allergies.
Air pollution
Air pollution, especially from particulate matter, car exhaust and industrial fumes, can increase the risk of asthma and other respiratory diseases.
Infections and the microbiome
Changes in the gut microbiome and exposure to various infections during early childhood can affect the development of the immune system and the risk of allergies.
The development of atopic diseases is multifactorial and complex. They are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, and interactions between them.
Allergy - Primary and secondary prevention
In combating atopic diseases, both primary prophylactic measures to prevent their development and secondary prophylactic interventions that reduce the severity of symptoms in those already affected are important.
Primary prevention:
Reducing exposure to allergens
Eliminating allergens from a child's environment, such as pollen, house dust mites, animal dander, etc., can reduce the risk of allergic reactions. Using special mattress covers and pillows to prevent the accumulation of house dust mites, and vacuuming and airing rooms regularly can also help reduce allergen exposure.
Adequate diet
Breastfeeding for at least the first 4-6 months of life can provide your baby with protection against allergies and support the development of the immune system. Avoiding the early introduction of potentially allergenic foods, such as eggs, nuts and gluten, can reduce the risk of food allergies.
Regular checkups
Regular visits to a pediatrician or allergologist can enable early detection of possible allergy symptoms in a child and take appropriate preventive measures.
Secondary prevention:
Specific allergy treatment
For allergy symptoms already present, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis or atopic dermatitis, the use of drug treatment can reduce the severity of symptoms and improve the patient's quality of life. Antihistamines, anti-inflammatory drugs, bronchodilators and topical skin preparations can be effective methods of controlling allergy symptoms.
Specific immunotherapy (SIT)
Specific immunotherapy involves the gradual introduction of an allergen into the patient's body to reduce allergic reactions. SIT can be an effective allergy treatment, especially for allergies to pollen, house dust mites or animal dander.
Education of patients and their families
It is important to educate patients and their families about the disease, its symptoms and methods of managing allergic symptoms. Awareness and adequate knowledge of the disease can help to effectively manage it and reduce its impact on daily functioning.
Effectiveness of preventive interventions in allergy management
Intervention studies conducted among children at high risk of developing allergic diseases, such as asthma and atopic dermatitis, have shown that the use of hypoallergenic milk formulas for the first months of life can reduce the risk of cow's milk protein allergy. In addition, avoiding allergens found in the home environment, such as house dust mites, can reduce the incidence of allergic symptoms in children exposed to these allergens. Intervention studies among infants at high risk of developing allergic diseases have shown that the use of hypoallergenic milk formulas for the first months of life can significantly reduce the risk of cow's milk protein allergy (CMA). Especially for children who cannot be exclusively breastfed, hypoallergenic milk formulas are recommended as an alternative, which can help reduce the risk of developing allergies. Studies have shown that avoiding allergens found in the home environment, such as house dust mites, can significantly reduce the incidence of allergic symptoms in children exposed to these allergens. Using special mattress and pillow covers, vacuuming regularly and ventilating rooms can reduce the amount of allergens in the air and help improve the quality of life for children affected by allergic diseases.
Outlook - what allergy sufferers are waiting for
Further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms of action of various preventive interventions and their long-term effects on children's health. Understanding these mechanisms will allow the development of even more effective strategies to prevent and treat allergic diseases in children. As research progresses, we can expect increasingly precise and effective prevention and treatment methods that can significantly improve the quality of life of children affected by these conditions. The discovery of new therapies, drugs, or diagnostic procedures may open up new possibilities in combating atopic diseases at their very inception. The involvement of both the scientific community and the health care community, as well as parents of children affected by allergies, is crucial in the quest for more effective prevention and treatment. Implementing scientific advances into clinical practice will reduce the time to diagnosis and improve the quality of life for children affected by allergic diseases.
Conclusions
Intervention studies in the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases in children are yielding more and more data on the effectiveness of various preventive measures and their impact on the course of the disease. There is a clear conclusion that appropriate preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk of onset and severity of allergic diseases in children. Measures such as elimination of allergens from the child's environment, the use of an appropriate diet and allergen-specific treatment are key to controlling atopic diseases at the stage of their onset. Implementing these preventive interventions can help improve the quality of life of children affected by allergies and reduce the health burden associated with these conditions. Further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms of action of these interventions and their long-term impact on children's health. However, findings to date already provide strong evidence of the benefits of prevention of allergic diseases in children, which should inform the implementation of effective prevention strategies in clinical and community practice.