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Maternal and childhood asthma: risk factors, interactions, and ramifications

Rodney R Dietert1

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, C5-135 VMC, Cornell University, North Tower Rd., Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. rrd1@cornell.ed

Reproductive Toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.)
|May 18, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Early life environmental exposures significantly influence asthma development by altering immune system maturation. Understanding these factors is key to preventing childhood asthma and related chronic conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
  • Environmental Health
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Asthma prevalence is increasing, with early life environmental factors playing a crucial role.
  • Maternal health and prenatal/early childhood environments significantly shape immune and respiratory development.
  • Genetic predisposition alone does not explain the rise in asthma; environmental and epigenetic factors are implicated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the impact of early-life environmental exposures on asthma development.
  • To identify key environmental risk factors influencing immune and respiratory system maturation.
  • To discuss strategies for asthma prevention and management across the lifespan.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of established and suspected environmental risk factors for asthma.
  • Analysis of how environmental exposures affect immune development (Th2 bias, innate immunity, inflammation).
  • Examination of the link between asthma and comorbid chronic conditions.

Main Results:

  • Early-life environmental conditions can override genetic predispositions in asthma development.
  • Specific environmental alterations (e.g., sustained Th2 bias, impaired innate immunity) lay the foundation for childhood asthma.
  • Numerous factors, including diet, contaminants, infections, hygiene, vaccinations, and birth mode, are implicated.

Conclusions:

  • Environmental and epigenetic changes are likely drivers of the recent increase in asthma prevalence.
  • Asthma prevention strategies targeting early life are crucial due to its association with other chronic diseases.
  • Optimizing preventative and therapeutic interventions across life stages is essential for managing asthma risk.

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