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Asthma in Thai children: a study of 2000 cases
Insights
This study on Thai children with asthma found that viral infections often trigger attacks, with most cases being moderately severe. Many children also had other allergies and a family history of allergic diseases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Allergology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease in children.
- Understanding the specific characteristics and triggers of childhood asthma in different populations is crucial for effective management.
- Previous research highlights the multifactorial nature of asthma, involving genetic and environmental factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively investigate the clinical characteristics, triggers, and associated conditions of asthma in a cohort of Thai children.
- To identify common precipitating factors and the severity spectrum of asthma in this population.
- To explore the prevalence of allergic comorbidities and family history of allergies.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 2,000 Thai children diagnosed with asthma.
- Data collection included patient demographics, age of onset, attack patterns, precipitating factors, severity, hospitalization history, and treatment.
- Assessment of associated allergic diseases, family history of allergies, blood eosinophil counts, and skin prick test results to various antigens.
Main Results:
- Boys were more frequently affected (1.54:1 ratio). 50% experienced their first attack within the first two years of life.
- Viral respiratory infections were the most common trigger. Attacks frequently occurred at night, during winter, and the rainy season.
- 61.25% had moderate severity; 32.45% were hospitalized; 6.85% received corticosteroids. 63.15% had associated allergic diseases, and 79.25% had a family history of allergies. 93.7% had positive skin tests.
Conclusions:
- Childhood asthma in Thailand presents with specific demographic and seasonal patterns, often triggered by viral infections.
- A significant proportion of children experience moderate to severe asthma, with frequent hospitalizations and a high prevalence of allergic comorbidities and family history.
- Early-onset asthma, nocturnal attacks, and positive skin test reactivity to common allergens are key features in this cohort, underscoring the importance of comprehensive allergic evaluation.
Abstract:
Two thousand Thai children with asthma were studied prospectively. Boys were more frequently affected than girls, with the ratio of 1.54:1. Fifty percent of patients developed their first attacks within the first 2 years of life. Attacks during the night were common and the seasons in which attacks usually occurred were the winter and the rainy season. Viral respiratory infections were the most common precipitant of attacks. The majority of the cases (61.25%) were moderately severe, while 29.15% of cases were mild and 9.60% of cases were very severe. Among our patients, 32.45% had been hospitalized with asthma and 6.85% had received corticosteroid treatment for asthma. In this study, 63.15% of cases had asthma associated with other allergic diseases, and 79.25% had family history of allergic diseases. Absolute blood eosinophil counts of less than 500 cells/mm3 were found in 39.8% of patients. Positive skin tests to important antigens were noted in 93.7% of cases, and these were house dust, epidermals, house dust mite, molds, weeds, cockroach, grasses, kapok, and foods.