Pet cats and dogs may help reduce the likelihood of babies developing food allergies as they grow into childhood, research published on Wednesday has suggested.
In an analysis of more than 65,000 infants and their relationship with pets, dogs and cats showed promise but hamsters appeared to offer greater risks.
The findings, published in the journal Plos One, could help design future studies on children and allergies, the scientists in Japan said.
Being exposed to dogs was linked to a reduced risk of egg, milk and nut allergies, the analysis found.
Cat exposure was tied to a lower risk of egg, wheat and soybean allergies,
But children who have hamsters as pets may be at an increased risk of developing a nut allergy, researchers discovered.
“This study showed that the association between pet exposure during foetal development or early infancy and the incidence risk of food allergies until the age of three years differs depending on the combination of two factors: pet species and allergen type,” the team wrote.
“Dog exposure might reduce the incidence risks of egg, milk and nut allergies; cat exposure might reduce the risks of egg, wheat and soybean allergies; hamster exposure might increase the risk of nut allergy.”
They added: “Further studies using oral food challenges are required to more accurately assess the incident of food allergies.”
Around one in 12 young children in the UK are thought to suffer from a food allergy.
Being exposed to farm animals in pregnancy and early childhood is associated with a lower risk of food allergies, previous research has shown.
For the latest study, Hisao Okabe from the Fukushima Medical University used data from 66,215 Japanese children and their mothers who were part of the Japan Environment And Children's Study.
About 22 per cent were exposed to indoor pets — mainly dogs and cats — while in the womb.
Children with indoor pets had a “significantly reduced incidence of food allergies” compared to those with outdoor dogs, the researchers discovered.
Meanwhile, children exposed to hamsters — 0.9 per cent of the total group studied — had a “significantly greater incidence of nut allergies”.
The findings are based on self-reported data and cannot determine if the link between pet exposure and food allergy is causative, the researchers said.
Jewel of the Expo 2020
252 projectors installed on Al Wasl dome
13.6km of steel used in the structure that makes it equal in length to 16 Burj Khalifas
550 tonnes of moulded steel were raised last year to cap the dome
724,000 cubic metres is the space it encloses
Stands taller than the leaning tower of Pisa
Steel trellis dome is one of the largest single structures on site
The size of 16 tennis courts and weighs as much as 500 elephants
Al Wasl means connection in Arabic
World’s largest 360-degree projection surface
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
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Afro%20salons
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The bio:
Favourite film:
Declan: It was The Commitments but now it’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
Heidi: The Long Kiss Goodnight.
Favourite holiday destination:
Declan: Las Vegas but I also love getting home to Ireland and seeing everyone back home.
Heidi: Australia but my dream destination would be to go to Cuba.
Favourite pastime:
Declan: I love brunching and socializing. Just basically having the craic.
Heidi: Paddleboarding and swimming.
Personal motto:
Declan: Take chances.
Heidi: Live, love, laugh and have no regrets.
Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
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Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
