Researchers in the States have just published an alarming study which suggests that bringing babies into a household with cats can increase their chances of developing eczema. The University of Arizona followed almost 500 newborns, asking parents how many cats and dogs they had as pets. They then contacted the families a year later and found that of the children with cats in the household 28% had eczema in comparison to 18% in households without cats.

The study's lead researcher, Esmeralda Morales did point out that having pets isn't necessarily a bad thing. Children with two or more dogs in the house had a slightly increased protection against developing eczema or other allergies. ' The findings do seem to add more questions about pets and asthma and allergies, she added.

• Why are children developing more allergies?
  
• My eighteen month old suffers from eczema
  
• This Week's News