American Mothers Seriously Concerned About Childhood Allergies, Siemens Surv...( ...)

DEERFIELD, Ill., July 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Siemens Healthcare today released new survey results revealing that 85 percent of mothers in the United States believe childhood allergies are a serious concern. Yet, when asked about testing their children for allergies, the survey shows that many mothers know little about the testing options available. Furthermore, more than one-third were not familiar with the accuracy of these tests, despite 93 percent indicating that accuracy was their top concern. The survey of over 1,000 U.S. mothers is part of a Siemens health initiative to raise awareness about this growing epidemic in America.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070904/SIEMENSLOGO )

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America states that allergic diseases are among the country's most common, yet often overlooked, chronic diseases. Allergy affects more than 50 million Americans and is now the third most common chronic disease among children under 18 years old.(1) Depending on geography and lifestyle, the prevalence of allergies can be as high as 40 percent.(2)

Seventy-five percent of the surveyed mothers believe it is important for children at risk of developing allergies to be tested early. Research indicates that this is a critical step to aiding long-term quality of life. Early identification has been shown to facilitate prompt and effective treatment, and therefore help prevent the progression of allergies to asthma -- a disease associated with significant economic costs, health risks and even morbidity and mortality.(3)

"If allergies go untreated, there is a higher probability that the child wil
'/>"/>