In December 2006, the Merck Childhood Asthma Network, Inc convened a conference, "State of Childhood Asthma and Future Directions: Strategies for Implementing Best Practices." In this article, we present an overview of the conference. The other articles in this supplement were based on the conference proceedings.

Childhood asthma is linked strongly to atopy and is characterised by a T helper 2 (Th2)-polarised immunological response. Epidemiological studies implicate severe lower respiratory tract viral infections, especially in early childhood, and repeated inhalational exposure to allergens as important synergistic factors in the development of asthma. The way in which these and other environmental fac...

BACKGROUND Maternal supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) may modulate immune responses and allergy in neonates and children. OBJECTIVE To determine if n-3 PUFA supplementation during pregnancy and lactation reduces risk for childhood allergic disease. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched Medline and all evidence-based medicine reviews for randomised controlled trials c...

BACKGROUND Because obesity promotes inflammation and imposes mechanical constraints to the airways, a high birth weight may be a risk factor for asthma in childhood. However, to our knowledge, few studies have examined this potential relationship. OBJECTIVE To determine the relationship between high birth weight and risk of emergency visits for asthma during childhood. DESIGN Population-bas...

BACKGROUND Asthma, traditionally characterized as reversible airway obstruction, might lead to structural changes and permanent impairment. OBJECTIVE We sought to study the frequency, severity, and reversibility of pulmonary deficits in adults with a history of moderate-to-severe childhood allergic asthma. METHODS Subjects (n = 121) previously enrolled in a randomized trial of immunotherapy...

BACKGROUND Several studies conducted during the past two decades suggested increasing trend of childhood allergic diseases in China. However, few studies have provided detailed description of geographic variation and explored risk factors of these diseases. This study investigated the pattern and risk factors of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema in eight metropolitan cities in China. METHO...

BACKGROUND Previous studies have not resolved the importance of several potential risk factors for the development of childhood atopy, airway hyperresponsiveness, and wheezing, which would allow the rational selection of interventions to reduce morbidity from asthma. Risk factors for these disorders were examined in a birth cohort of 1037 New Zealand children. METHODS Responses to questions o...

BACKGROUND Bronchial asthma is one of the most prevalent diseases in Arab children. Environmental pollution has been suggested to be considered causative of asthma, nasal symptoms and bronchitis in both children and adult. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the association between serum polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) levels, asthma and allergic outcomes among Saudi children ...

BACKGROUND It has been hypothesised that the rise in childhood asthma in the developed world could result at least in part from the increasing exposure of children to toxic chlorination products in the air of indoor swimming pools. OBJECTIVES Ecological study to evaluate whether this hypothesis can explain the geographical variation in the prevalence of asthma and other atopic diseases in Eur...