Children who develop asthma by the age of seven have decreased lung function as new-born babies, according to new research.
The study, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, examined 411 children with asthmatic mothers at the age of one and again at the age of seven.
The findings showed that 14% of children who had asthma at the age of seven, also had decreased lung function at the age of one. The findings suggest that earlier intervention could help prevent the development of the condition in children.
Lead author of the study, Dr Hans Bisgaard, said: “It seems that lung function changes associated with asthma occur very early in life and maybe even before birth. Research should therefore be directed towards the earliest stages of life.”