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Demographic and neonatal risk factors for childhood asthma in the USA
David A Geier1,2, Janet K Kern1,2,3, Mark R Geier1,2
1a The Institute of Chronic Illnesses Inc , Silver Spring , MD , USA.
Insights
Childhood asthma is more common in males and minority populations. Neonatal factors like gestational age, birth weight, and APGAR scores were lower in children diagnosed with asthma, aiding early detection.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Asthma is a leading chronic childhood condition globally.
- Early identification of risk factors is crucial for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify demographic and neonatal predictors of childhood asthma.
- To compare neonatal factors in children with and without asthma.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) database.
- Analyzed health maintenance organization (HMO) records of 5,907 childhood asthma cases and 11,662 controls.
- Examined neonatal factors: gestational age, birth weight, maternal age, APGAR scores, gender, and race.
Main Results:
- Childhood asthma diagnosis was higher in males and minority populations (Black, Hispanic, Native American, Asian) compared to White populations.
- Children with asthma showed significantly lower mean gestational age, maternal age, birth weight, and APGAR scores at 1 and 5 minutes.
Conclusions:
- Demographic and neonatal factors are significantly associated with childhood asthma.
- Findings can assist healthcare providers in early asthma diagnosis and management.
Objective:
Asthma is the most common chronic condition diagnosed among children worldwide according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This study evaluated on a longitudinal basis prospectively collected medical records for demographic and neonatal information among United States (US) children diagnosed with childhood asthma in comparison to controls.
Design:
The Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) database was examined to identify cases (n = 5907) diagnosed with International Classification of Disease, ninth revision (ICD-9) healthcare provider diagnosed childhood asthma (493.xx) and controls (n = 11,662).
Patients:
All cases and controls were health maintenance organization (HMO)-enrolled from birth until diagnosis or sufficient time to ensure that they were unlikely to receive a diagnosis, respectively.
Main Outcome Measures:
Child's gestational age in weeks at birth, birth weight in grams, maternal age in years at birth, Appearance-Pulse-Grimace-Activity-Respiration (APGAR) score at 1 minute and 5 minutes following birth, gender, and race.
Results:
The study results revealed childhood asthma was diagnosed significantly more frequently among males than females, and significantly more frequently among minority populations (Black > Hispanic > Native American > Asian) than White populations. Cases diagnosed with childhood asthma had significantly decreased mean values for the following neonatal risk factors: gestational age, maternal age, birth weight, and APGAR scores at 1 and 5 minutes following birth in comparison to controls.
Conclusions:
This study offers healthcare providers important demographic and neonatal factors significantly associated with childhood asthma, and should help aid in the early diagnosis and treatment of childhood asthma.