Khaberni - A recent study presented at the conference of the European Respiratory Society found that children living in a home with a dog had a 48% lower risk of developing asthma by the age of 5, and better lung functions.
However, children do not receive the same protection from growing up with cats, according to the study conducted at SickKids Hospital in Toronto.
To conduct the study, researchers analyzed dust samples taken from 1050 homes of Canadian children when they were between 3 and 4 months old.
According to "Health Day", the researchers examined the dust samples for 3 potential allergens: one associated with dogs, the second with cats, and the third with bacteria.
The team then re-examined the children to detect asthma at the age of 5. Their lung functions were measured by the amount of air they could exhale in one second after a deep inhalation.
Results
The results showed that children who were exposed to higher levels of dog allergens were 48% less likely to develop asthma by the age of 5 years. They also enjoyed better lung functions.
The researchers also found that this protective effect was stronger in children who had a higher genetic risk of developing asthma and allergies.
