Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 28, 2026

A Component-resolved Diagnostic Approach for a Study on Grass Pollen Allergens in Chinese Southerners with Allergic Rhinitis and/or Asthma
06:34

A Component-resolved Diagnostic Approach for a Study on Grass Pollen Allergens in Chinese Southerners with Allergic Rhinitis and/or Asthma

Published on: June 4, 2017

Childhood asthma in Beijing, China: a population-based case-control study

Tongzhang Zheng1, Shiru Niu, Baoyu Lu

  • 1Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA. tongzhang.zheng@yale.edu

American Journal of Epidemiology
|November 7, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Environmental factors like secondhand smoke, coal use for heating/cooking, indoor mold, and pests are linked to increased childhood asthma risk in China. These findings highlight key areas for public health interventions to protect children

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Childhood asthma is a significant public health concern globally.
  • Limited research exists on childhood asthma risk factors in China, the world's most populous country.
  • Understanding environmental triggers is crucial for developing targeted prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate environmental risk factors associated with childhood asthma in China.
  • To identify specific exposures linked to increased asthma prevalence in a Chinese population.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based case-control study was conducted in Shunyi County, China.
  • Data collection occurred between January 1999 and March 2001.
  • Statistical analysis, including odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), was used to assess risk.

Main Results:

  • Exposure to secondhand smoke during pregnancy and childhood showed increased asthma risk (OR=1.3-1.4).
  • Use of coal for heating (OR=1.5) and unventilated coal cooking (OR=2.3) were significant risk factors.
  • Indoor environmental factors like mold (OR=1.8) and pests such as cockroaches and rats (OR=1.8) were associated with higher asthma risk.
  • Pet ownership (dog and cat, OR=1.5) also showed a potential link.

Conclusions:

  • Environmental exposures, including secondhand smoke, indoor air pollution from coal, mold, and pests, are associated with childhood asthma in China.
  • Findings underscore the need for improved indoor environments and reduced exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.
  • Public health initiatives should focus on mitigating these identified risk factors to reduce the burden of childhood asthma.

Related Concept Videos

Asthma-I: Introduction01:29

Asthma-I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic respiratory ailment that requires careful management due to its varying symptoms and influencing factors. It is characterized by airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airflow obstruction, leading to symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The symptom frequency and intensity may vary considerably over time. It is also linked to immune system responses to allergens and irritants, highlighting the complex...
Asthma I: Introduction01:28

Asthma I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by variable airflow obstruction and heightened bronchial responsiveness to a wide range of triggers. The underlying inflammation leads to airway swelling, mucus hypersecretion, and smooth muscle constriction, all of which narrow the airway lumen and impede airflow. Clinically, asthma presents with recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, symptoms that typically vary in intensity and...
Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management01:30

Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management

The diagnosis and management of asthma are comprehensive, encompassing clinical assessments, lung function tests, and pharmacological interventions. Here's an overview:
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction01:23

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a common, preventable, and treatable respiratory disorder characterized by persistent symptoms and progressive airflow limitation. This limitation results from a combination of small-airway disease (obstructive bronchiolitis) and parenchymal destruction (emphysema), both driven by chronic inflammation from exposure to harmful particles or gases.The disease includes two main pathological entities: emphysema, marked by destruction of alveolar walls and...
Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations01:13

Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations

Asthma presents with a characteristic pattern of episodic respiratory symptoms that reflect underlying airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus hypersecretion. Although severity varies among individuals, certain clinical manifestations are considered hallmarks of the disorder and often guide diagnosis and assessment.Respiratory SymptomsA persistent cough is one of the most common early features of asthma. It is frequently dry and tends to worsen at night or in the early morning,...
Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management01:20

Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management

Asthma is a chronic pulmonary condition involving inflammation of the airways, hyper-reactivity, and reversible obstruction of the airways. This condition can significantly impact a person's quality of life, making breathing difficult and leading to distressing symptoms.
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.