Prospects for the Primary Prevention of Asthma

• Allergen avoidance - trials under way. No recommendations on prenatal or postnatal allergen avoidance can be made in relation to primary prevention of asthma.
• Breastfeeding - protective benefit in relation to early life wheezing. Should be encouraged.
• Modified milk formulae - studies insufficient for making a recommendation regarding asthma, as opposed to eczema.
• Dietary modifications, immunotherapy, microbial exposure - trials performed and/or underway. Insufficient evidence to make a recommendation.
• Smoking during pregnancy and the early neonatal period - studies suggest association between maternal smoking and an increased risk of infant wheeze. Parents and parents-to-be who smoke should be advised of the many adverse affects of smoking on their children.