A new study is good news for new parents who might think they have to "lose the cat" to protect their children. From Reuters:
Kids who spend less time during their early years around pets and dust don't appear to have a lower risk of developing asthma or respiratory problems, new research reports.These findings contradict a long-held theory that protecting children from substances that can trigger allergies or asthma -- known as allergens -- may protect them from respiratory problems later in life.
Study author Dr. Paul Cullinan of the National Heart and Lung Institute in London explained that, consequently, parents who want to protect their children from developing allergies or asthma "should not worry too much about allergen levels in their home."