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Early life events in allergic sensitisation
1Allergy and Inflammation Sciences Division (Child Health), University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
British Medical Bulletin
|May 22, 2001
Summary
Maternal factors during pregnancy influence infant immune responses, potentially preventing allergies like asthma and eczema. Understanding these gestational events is key to future allergy prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Allergy Research
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Allergic diseases such as asthma, eczema, and hay fever are increasing.
- The gestational period is increasingly recognized for its role in immune development.
- Maternal atopy (a predisposition to allergic diseases) impacts infant immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of gestational events in allergic sensitization.
- To explore how maternal factors influence infant immune responses and allergy development.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent research on maternal influences during pregnancy.
- Analysis of factors like maternal IgE, IgG, amniotic fluid cytokines, and feto-maternal allergen exposure.
Main Results:
- Maternal atopy significantly affects infant immune development.
- Factors in the feto-maternal environment may determine infant Th-1/Th-2 responses.
- Gestational events can influence the translation of genetic susceptibility into allergic disease.
Conclusions:
- Events during pregnancy play a crucial role in determining allergy risk.
- Maternal immune factors and the feto-maternal environment are key.
- Immune modulation during gestation offers a potential strategy for allergy prevention.