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Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2005;159:401.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

With great interest, we read the article by Lowe et al¹ on the effect of pet ownership and exposure to indoor allergens on lung function at age 3 years. Disentangling the contributions of various sources to the development of allergy is complicated. In this study, exposure to indoor allergens was measured only once, at age 3 years, the same age at which lung function was measured.

The causal model assumes sensitization and lung function changes to be preceded by exposure to allergens. To test this relationship, allergen exposure should be assessed prospectively, from birth onward.

Regarding pet ownership, the authors rightly distinguish pet ownership in early life from that at age 3 years. However, pet ownership, both in early life and at age 3 years, is possibly influenced by symptoms of family members and/or the child, and consequently, the inference is subject to confounding by indication. Did the authors consider . . . [Full Text of this Article]

AUTHOR INFORMATION

Johannes C. van der Wouden, PhD; Roos M. D. Bernsen, MSc

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Pet Ownership and Exposure to Indoor Allergens—Reply
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Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2005;159(4):401.
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