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Asthma prevalence and risk factors in school children: The RESPIR longitudinal study
Julia Alfonso1, Santiago Pérez2, Ricardo Bou3
1Pediatric Pneumology and Allergy Unit, La Ribera University Hospital, Alzira, Valencia, Spain.
Insights
Wheezing and asthma are common in early childhood, with 12.8% of children developing asthma by age six. Key risk factors include atopic dermatitis, early wheezing, prematurity, and family history.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Epidemiology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Wheezing and asthma are significant public health concerns in early childhood.
- Longitudinal data on the incidence and risk factors of childhood asthma are crucial for effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of wheezing and prevalence of asthma up to age six.
- To identify risk factors associated with developing asthma in early childhood.
Main Methods:
- A prospective longitudinal study followed 636 infants from birth to six years.
- Data collection involved clinical records and questionnaires.
Main Results:
- Asthma prevalence at age six was 12.8%.
- 63% experienced at least one wheezing episode, and 35% had recurrent wheezing by age six.
- Identified risk factors: atopic dermatitis, early wheezing, prematurity, and family history of asthma.
Conclusions:
- Childhood asthma prevalence in this Spanish population aligns with other studies.
- Wheezing incidence increases significantly by age three and then stabilizes.
- Preventing early respiratory infections and promoting full-term pregnancies may reduce childhood asthma rates.
Objectives:
To analyze the incidence of wheezing in the first six years of life; the prevalence of asthma at six years of age; and the associated risk factors, in a population from Valencia, Spain.
Methods:
A prospective longitudinal study was made of a cohort of 636 newborn infants, with follow-up of the clinical records and the completion of questionnaires up to the age of six years.
Results:
The prevalence of asthma at six years of age was 12.8%. Up until that age, 63% of the study population had experienced at least one episode of wheezing, and 35% had suffered recurrent wheezing (three or more episodes). Admission due to wheezing was associated to school asthma. The following risk factors were identified: atopic dermatitis (OR: 2.1; 95%CI: 1.2-3.5), the presence of at least one episode of wheezing in the first year (OR: 1.8; 95%CI: 1.1-2.9), prematurity (OR: 2.5; 95%CI: 1.2-5.1), and a family history of asthma (OR: 2.2; 95%CI: 1.2-4.1).
Conclusions:
The prevalence of asthma at six years of age in our population is similar to that described in other longitudinal studies. An important increase is observed in the cumulative incidence of wheezing and of recurrent wheezing up to three years of age, followed by stabilization. The most relevant risk factors for developing asthma at six years were atopic dermatitis, wheezing during the first year, prematurity, and a family history of asthma. Full-term pregnancy and the minimization of respiratory infections at an early age could reduce the prevalence of asthma at six years of age in our population.
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