Stressed Families May Lead To Wheezing Babies
Asthma History, Cockroach Antigen Also Contributed
UPDATED: 10:40 a.m. EST February 7, 2002
If you've got a wheezing, sneezing baby in the house, you may want to take a look at the stress in your life.
New research found that infants with a family history of asthma and allergies wheeze more if their caregivers, especially mothers, are stressed. The study of nearly 500 infants found divorced and single caregivers showed higher stress levels than did those who were married.
Researchers said stress triggers a response in the brain and the immune system that may affect airway inflammation and trigger wheezing. In addition, children were more likely to wheeze if they had mothers, but not fathers, with active asthma.
High levels of cockroach antigen in the house were also a risk factor for infant wheezing.
The researchers said they will continue to follow the infants to determine if exposure to stress early in life increases the risk asthma in childhood.
Dr. Rosalind Wright at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston conducted the research, which was published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
New research found that infants with a family history of asthma and allergies wheeze more if their caregivers, especially mothers, are stressed. The study of nearly 500 infants found divorced and single caregivers showed higher stress levels than did those who were married.
Researchers said stress triggers a response in the brain and the immune system that may affect airway inflammation and trigger wheezing. In addition, children were more likely to wheeze if they had mothers, but not fathers, with active asthma.
High levels of cockroach antigen in the house were also a risk factor for infant wheezing.
The researchers said they will continue to follow the infants to determine if exposure to stress early in life increases the risk asthma in childhood.
Dr. Rosalind Wright at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston conducted the research, which was published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
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