Primary prevention of allergic sensitisation - How might it work?

Allergic diseases, particularly allergic asthma, are among the most frequen t disorders seen in paediatric practice and clinic. Epidemiological data as well as recent immunological studies have largely contributed to the ident ification of risk factors eventually leading to the clinical manifestation of allergy. Various strategies of primary prevention are being developed an d most of them include avoidance of identified or presumed risk factors. Another promising field of research investigates pharmacological approaches in the prevention of allergy, and drugs have been identified which interfe re with the pathophysiological pathways. It seems likely that they may play an important role in future primary prevention strategies especially targe ting infants at high risk.