Children's Birth Date Can Increase Their Risk for Asthma

What can be done?
The results from the recent study are both interesting and add significantly to our knowledge about the development of asthma in children. However, we still have much to learn in order to be able to apply these findings into practice. The main lesson for children at risk of asthma (and for all kids, for that matter) is to limit the risk of getting bronchiolitis. Bronchiolitis is a respiratory viral infection, and like others, peaks in the winter months and is transmitted both by direct contact and from respiratory secretions. It is important to wash hands well when around other kids who may be sick and be vigilant when in common play areas where there are a lot of kids, especially during the "high season."

I won't say much about the ‘obvious' - timing of pregnancy to avoid birth 4 months before the peak viral season during the winter. It seems that, with respect to timing, most pregnancies do not turn out as planned - either too quickly or too slowly! This is especially true with the changing demographics of the work force and couples starting families later in life. If one were so inclined to time a birth during a lower risk period of the year, a couple could start trying to get pregnant in late Winter/early Spring. With a few months leeway, a child would be born early the following year.

My advice: timing pregnancy is like timing the market - it usually doesn't work. The decision to start or grow a family is big enough - timing that decision based on probabilities of developing asthma is not worth the worry.