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From:  Dawn Hyatt[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:  Thursday, November 06, 1997 11:09 AM
To:  [log in to unmask]
Subject:  Re: asthma

Gosh Dawn, I don't think I would completely believe that statement.  I would look
further into it if I were you.  
My son was 15 months old when he was diagnosed with SEVERE eczema (after
being hospitalized for 3 days with it.)  His pediatrician did not know what was wrong with him, so
she recommended a skin specialist.  He "believed" it was eczema.  Sorry that didn't go over well.
Either it is or isn't and if it is....then why or what from??  So I continued my journey.  Went to
my family Doctor.  He said it was eczema from an allergic reaction and said he will develop asthma, probably soon.  I went to an allergist and we discovered his allergies and 2 weeks later he had his first severe attack and was hospitalized for asthma.  In the meantime, my son's pediatrician laughed at my doctor for being able to predict asthma.  Needless to say,  that was my son's last visit to her.  
My doctor did say that it is more common to see children develop asthma after the 15th month, but didn't mean that for everyone.
As far as being born with asthma....
Yes you are either born with the gene or not.  However, it's all in whether you will develop it or not.
Remember, asthma in children is often misdiagnosed as "croup"  or  "bronchitis".  Be careful and
don't stop till you are satisfied with the results!!!  

Thanks,
Kelly   [log in to unmask]

        I was always told that too (born with it or not) but recently my son
started sounding like me when I have an asthma attack and I took him in to
the doctors. They claim that a 4 month old child does not have the ability
to be asthmatic yet. So IF  they are right, you aren't "born" with it. (I'm
still highly skeptical) It is so hard to know if doctors do or do not know
what they are talking about as each has completely different
information/recommendations/ideas. Stef do you have resources on this info?
I'd like to track down some answers for myself.