Abstract: No abstract. Text excerpt: Despite considerable research efforts, the aetiology of childhood asthma and allergic disease remains poorly understood. Moreover, there is evidence that atopic diseases are on the increase in western countries in recent decades. Epidemiology has the potential to add greatly to our understanding by elucidating risk factors for the development of disease. However, lack of standardisation in case-definition and methodology has so far limited the full potential of epidemiologic studies for temporal and spatial comparisons. ISAAC, the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood, was founded to maximise the value of epidemiological research into asthma and allergic disease by establishing a standardised methodology and facilitating international collaboration
Pediatr Allergy Immunol 1996; 7(9 Suppl): 54-6.