GROUND-breaking research at Southampton General Hospital has shown it may be possible to prevent allergic asthma in children while they are still in the womb.

Doctors have found that mothers can influence whether their babies develop resistance to allergies.

A five-year programme, headed by Dr Jill Warner, looked at two groups of women who were at high risk of giving birth to an asthmatic.

One group was asked to take allergen avoidance measures such as vacuuming every day with a high-efficiency cleaner, using a dehumidifier and anti-dust mite bed clothes.

The second group continued with their usual housework, and their babies showed a higher rate of asthma.

The study showed that by the 22nd week of pregnancy, babies' immune systems could recognise allergens their mothers had come into contact with and that the most important factor in predicting asthma by the age of five was the number of positive allergy tests at the age of one.

This allows parents to avoid allergens that could later trigger asthma.

Dr Warner said: "Our research shows that mothers can influence whether their babies develop sensitisation to allergies.

"Controlling the mothers' reaction to allergens, especially during the second and third trimester from the fourth month onwards may well be the treatment of the future, alongside established advice such as giving up smoking and cutting down on alcohol."

Many families who took part in the tests have continued with the allergen avoidance programme, including 36-year-old Pauline Musson, of Sycamore Avenue, Chandler's Ford, whose six-year-old son Oliver has moderately severe symptoms.

She said: "I would recommend the programme to people who have asthma in the family. It is hard work, but much better than the drugs and inhalers children need for asthma."

Anne Bradley, chief executive of the National Asthma Campaign, commented: "With asthma increasing in prevalence, especially among children, this research is potentially of great significance. It adds a valuable contribution towards possible prevention while also making real inroads towards a possible cure."

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.