292 The Relationship Between Maternal Atopy and Childhood Asthma

5 minutes, which are processed to measure several inflammatory/fibrogenic markers. Results: These molecules, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF), IL-1 receptor antagonist, IL-8 and epidermal growth factor (EGF) tended to be increased in asthmatic group. These markers were significantly increased in severity step 4 patients as compared to mild asthmatics. There was a significant correlation between the PM10 concentration 1 month before the sampling of EBC and EBC EGF concentration. NO2 concentration and several markers in EBC in patients with asthma correlated with each other. EBC pH showed a significant relationship with the distance from main traffic roads. Conclusions: These results suggested that mass screening using simple methods such as EBC and appropriate biomarkers might facilitate the progress in the prophylaxis against hazardous health effects of DE exposures in subjects with high susceptibility to DEPs. Background: The diagnostic difficulty of childhood asthma leads to widespread under-diagnosis, which negatively affects the quality of life of asthmatic children. The presence of atopy in children is often used as a clinical tool to assist in making the diagnosis. However, local studies have demonstrated that atopy occurs in fewer asthmatic children than previously thought. This brings into question the association between allergy and asthma. The purpose of this study was to determine if a family history of allergy is predictive of atopic asthma in children, by comparing allergy, history of asthma and allergic symptoms, in mothers of atopic versus non-atopic asthmatic children. Methods: A random sample of children and their mothers attending the Children's Chest and Allergy Clinic at Steve Biko Academic Hospital were enrolled. Skin-prick testing or radioallergosorbent test results, of the children were obtained from the child's hospital records. Mothers completed a detailed questionnaire which included demographic details, a history of symptoms suggestive of 'atopy' and allergic diseases and a history of asthma. Skin prick testing was performed on the mothers. Results: 100 children and their parents were enrolled. 64 mothers to atopic children were used as the study group and 36 mothers to non-atopic children were used as the control group. Of the 48 mothers with a positive skin prick test, 30 (64%) had atopic children (P ¼ 0.836). Of the 16 mothers with asthma, 14 (88%) had atopic children (P ¼ 0.045). Of the 70 mothers with a history of symptoms suggestive of an allergic disease, 45 (64%) had children with …