Indoor allergen exposure and development of childhood asthma

Background. There has been a tremendous increase in atopic diseases during the past 25 years ill industrialized countries. Among other factor, high indoor allergen exposure (house dust mite Dermatophagoides, cat) was considered to be one major risk factor for the increase in asthma prevalence in childhood. MAS-90. In the German Multercentre Allergy Study (MAS-90) only an association between specific sensitization and exposure to house dust mite and cat allergens could be found. There was no association between the prevalence of asthma or wheeze at age 7 and indoor allergen exposure in early childhood. Discussion. Other genetic and exogenous factors seem to have a stronger influence on the development of childhood asthma.