General strategies for prevention of atopic disease: A review of the current state of knowledge

Prevention of disease, whether it be allergy, infection or emotional disease, is a primary goal of paediatrics. The strategies employed in the prevention of allergic disease have been studied in numerous sites, resulting in conflicting results and confusion among practitioners. This review of our work and of the current literature concludes that exclusive breast feeding of the newborn human infant combined with a hypoallergenic diet for both the nursing mother and her infant, is the single most valuable action to be taken. In addition, providing a hypoallergenic environment (dust, mold and animal dander elimination) as well as elimination of smoking in the home will contribute to the success of preventive efforts in the newborn period.