The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy

OCTOBER 2001 - TOPIC OF THE MONTH
25 September 2001

ASCIA MEDIA ALERT
Allergy Prevention in Infants

Highlight of the ASCIA Annual Scientific Meeting
28 September - 2 October 2001

Allergic diseases are increasing in developed countries around the world and their frequency has approximately doubled over the last 25 years. In Australia, up to 30% of infants are affected by allergy in the first three years of life.

Prevention of allergic disease is a major focus of the forthcoming ASCIA (Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy) Annual Scientific Meeting, to be held in Western Australia from 28 September until 2 October 2001.

Allergies are often life-long and although treatable, they are often not curable. It therefore makes sense to develop preventative strategies to protect children at risk of developing allergies and aim to minimise the incidence of allergy.

One of the most important risk factors for children developing allergies is a strong family history of allergy, such as both parents or one parent and one sibling being allergic. The most common allergic conditions in children are food allergies, eczema, asthma and allergic rhinitis (hay fever).

At this year's ASCIA conference we are dedicating a morning session on Saturday 29 September and a workshop on Monday 1 October to the topic of Allergy prevention in children.
The workshop will specifically aim to develop recommendations on the direction of future research and educational programs. Dr Prescott, Clinical Immunologist at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children in Perth, will chair this workshop and will be available for interviews.

WHAT:    ASCIA Annual Scientific Conference
WHEN:    28 September - 2 October 2001
WHERE:  Western Australia

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Mechanisms of Allergic Diseases - 8.00-9.30am Saturday 29 September
  
• Primary Prevention of Allergic Diseases - 10.15-11.55am Saturday 29 September
  
• Allergy Prevention in Children Workshop - 9am- 12noon Monday 1 October

Information on the Annual Scientific Meeting is available by emailing the Secretariat, ICMS This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or by visiting the website of ASCIA @ http://www.allergy.org.au/

Available for interview (Allergy Prevention): Dr Susan Prescott, Clinical Immunologist.

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