The spectrum of general pediatrics extends from newborns to adolescents or young adults. The focus is on the individual, holistic treatment of your child or adolescent.
Asthma in the family
Particularly in case of an asthmatic disease in the family, many parents are concerned. Especially when children start attending preschool and therewith the first infectious period with a lot of coughing starts, the need of a professional medical consultation rises.
According to the current state of research, over hundred different genetic changes are known that are associated with the development of asthma. Epigenetic changes – such as the “switching on and off” of certain genes because of certain environmental influences – also seem to major impact.
If asthmatic symptoms are ultimately triggered by allergens, infections or physical exercise relates on various genes. The risk of asthma for a newborn is three times higher if one parent suffers from asthma. Maternal bronchial asthma is a higher risk factor than paternal bronchial asthma. If both parents are affected, the child’s risk of developing the disease increases by 60 percent. For the disease to break out, certain environmental factors must be present in addition to the hereditary predisposition.
Knowledge of the disease and early recognition of risk factors or alarm signals are essential.
Detailed information for parents is therefore a highly important first step. Depending on symptoms, family history and other risk factors, an individual diagnostic scheme can be developed afterwards.
Allergies in the family
Around half of all children have a basic predisposition to developing allergies (atopy). Whether the disease actually breaks out depends on several factors. However, the exact causes of the development and increase of allergic diseases have not yet been fully researched.
Heredity: If one parent is allergic, the child has a 30% risk of developing allergies as well. If both the father and mother are allergic, this probability increases to over 60%. However, the majority of children with allergies do not have a hereditary predisposition.
Experiencing multiple allergic symptoms is called an “allergy career”: In infancy, food allergies and neurodermatitis (medically known as atopic dermatitis) predominate. Over the years, the majority of children lose these allergies again. However, sensitization to cat hair, house dust mites and pollen is often observed, whilst adolescents happen to develop antibodies against pollen. This undesirable “career” follows a similar course in most cases.
Detailed information for parents is the important first step. Depending on symptoms, family history and other risk factors, an individual diagnostic scheme can be developed afterwards. In general, diagnostics only make sense if symptoms (allergic symptoms) already exist.