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Childhood asthma : factors predicting severity and persistence of symptoms
Insights
In infants, early wheezing onset, passive smoking, and family history of atopy are key indicators for persistent asthma. These factors also predict more severe asthma symptoms in young children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Allergy and Immunology
Background:
- Asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory condition in infants and young children.
- Numerous aspects of childhood asthma remain subjects of ongoing research and debate.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify predictors of asthma severity and symptom persistence in children under three years old.
- To investigate the influence of social, environmental, and allergic factors on childhood asthma outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 180 infants diagnosed with asthma between 2007 and 2011.
- Data collected included social/environmental factors, allergic history, clinical severity, skin test results, and treatment.
- Assessment of respiratory outcomes and factors influencing asthma persistence and severity.
Main Results:
- Positive family history of atopy (45%) and passive smoke exposure (52%) were common.
- Early onset of wheezing (mean 6.6 months) and positive skin tests (32%) were observed.
- Severe asthma was linked to passive smoking, early onset, hospitalizations, and aggravating factors; persistence was associated with early onset, C-section delivery, passive smoking, and positive skin tests.
Conclusions:
- While individual factors for asthma persistence require further study, atopy and passive smoking are significant indicators.
- Identifying these predictors can aid in early intervention and management strategies for pediatric asthma.
Background:
Asthma is the most common chronic disease in infants. In young children, asthma still raises many questions and many points are still being debated.
Aim:
The aim of this study is to identifies, in asthmatic children, factors predictors of severity and persistence of symptoms.
Methods:
A retrospective study of asthmatic infants<3 years enrolled in the pediatric department of Sfax over a period of 5 years (2007-2011). We were interested to social and environmental factors, the allergic background, clinical severity of the disease, results of allergic skin tests, treatment and respiratory outcome.
Results:
We collected 180 children with a sex ratio of 2.2. Family history of atopy and exposition to passive tobacco were noted in 45 % and 52% of cases respectively. The mean age of onset of wheezing was 6.6 months. Skin tests were positives in 32% of cases. At the time of diagnosis, asthma was classified intermittent (21%), mild to moderate (55.6%) and severe (22.2%). Inhaled corticosteroids was initiated in 142 infants (78.8%). Skin tests performed in 84 patients, were positive in 32%. Factors associated with severe asthma were passive smoking, early age of onset, number of hospitalizations for exacerbation and existence of an aggravating factor. Factors predictors of persistence were an early age of onset, caesarean delivery, passive smoking and positive skin tests.
Conclusion:
Factors associated with persistence of asthma at the individual level remains uncertain. However, atopy and passive smoking are major indicators.
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