Mice allergy: a predictor of asthma in kids

According to a study, mice allergy is a stronger predictor of asthma-related emergency department visits in young children than exposure to cockroaches.

Previous research has been inconsistent in determining the relative effects of mouse droppings versus cockroach exposure on asthma in children, found the study being presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology' (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting in Atlanta, Nov 6-10.

For the study, researchers examined 49 children under four.

Both skin prick testing and blood tests were conducted to determine allergic response.

Kids who were found to be allergic to mice seemed to be more likely to have had at least one asthma-related department visit in the previous year compared with children not allergic to mice, showed the study.

Allergy to roach - based on either testing method - did not predict asthma-related emergency department visits in the previous year.