Dynamics of allergy development during the first 5 years of life.

Allergic diseases have increased in developed countries during the past decades. A cohort of Slovak children was followed from birth to track allergic symptoms dynamics in early childhood. Information on allergic symptoms (atopic dermatitis = AD, rhino conjunctivitis = RC, wheezing = Wh, urticaria = Ur) and food allergies among children was based on clinical evaluation of children by allergists at three developmental stages (infant, toddler, preschool).

Environmental and dietary risk factors for infantile atopic eczema among a Slovak birth cohort.

Infantile atopic eczema (AE) is a risk marker for future asthma. This study assesses the contribution of modifiable exposures to infantile AE. If modifiable exposures contribute substantially to infantile AE, its prevention might be a sensible approach to asthma prevention.

Lactate dehydrogenase activity in human placenta following exposure to environmental pollutants.

The impact of environmental pollution at the place of residence of pregnant women and of their smoking habits on the cellular energy metabolism of placental tissue was investigated. Samples of full-term placentas were randomly collected from two environmentally different regions of Slovakia (Bratislava, Stará Lubovna) and the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was measured. Our results showed enhanced LDH activity in the placenta that was dependent on both the type of environmental pollutants at the place of residence and the smoking habits during pregnancy.

Cord serum immunoglobulin E related to the environmental contamination of human placentas with organochlorine compounds.

Allergic diseases are on the rise in both prevalence and severity, especially in industrialized countries. The process of allergic sensitization needs an understanding of the role environmental factors play in its development. In addition to traditionally considered air pollutants, various persistent organochlorine pollutants, which accumulate in the human body over a lifetime via food intake, are toxic in humans.

Respiratory system response to ambient air magnesite particulates.

Ambient air particulates derived from a magnesite-processing plant contain magnesium oxide (85-90%), iron oxide (7-8%), calcium oxide (about 2.5-3%), Al- and Si oxides (0.1-0.