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Do We Have Any Environmental or Perinatal Factor Which May Predispose for Paediatric Airways Diseases? An Italian
Cecilia Rosso1, Federica Turati2, Alberto Maria Saibene3
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Santi Paolo e Carlo Hospital, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Insights
Environmental factors and early life exposures significantly influence paediatric airway diseases. Siblings, breastfeeding, and kindergarten attendance showed varied associations with conditions like asthma and upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs).
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Environmental Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Paediatric airway diseases (asthma, allergies, rhinitis, URTIs, AOM) pose global health challenges.
- Increasing prevalence impacts child well-being, education, and incurs economic costs.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate prevalence and environmental links of paediatric airway diseases in the first three years of life.
- Inform early detection, prevention, and management strategies for these common childhood conditions.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal prospective study of 241 newborns, with 207 completing three-year follow-up.
- Data collected via parental questionnaires (socioeconomics, pregnancy, parental smoking, breastfeeding, childcare) and skin prick tests for allergic sensitization.
Main Results:
- Siblings, exclusive breastfeeding, and kindergarten attendance linked to increased disease risks at 1 and 3 years.
- Smoking exposure showed a protective effect against early wheezing.
- Breastfeeding had mixed effects: protective for URTIs but a potential risk for asthma at 1 year.
- Kindergarten attendance increased URTI and AOM risks but protected against inhalant allergies by 3 years.
Conclusions:
- Paediatric airway disease development involves a complex interplay of environmental and early-life factors.
- Further research is essential to fully understand these associations and guide interventions.
Background:
Paediatric airway diseases such as asthma, allergies, rhinitis, upper respiratory tract infections and acute otitis media are major health challenges for children globally. The prevalence of these conditions has been increasing, impacting children's quality of life, educational attainment and imposing a substantial economic burden.
Objectives:
This longitudinal prospective study investigated the prevalence rates and environmental links associated with paediatric airway diseases in the first 3 years of life in 241 newborns, with the goal of contributing to early detection, prevention and management strategies.
Methods:
Structured questionnaires were administered to parents at birth, 1 year and 3 years of age. Data on socioeconomic factors, pregnancy and delivery characteristics, parental smoking, breastfeeding, childcare attendance and children's health history were collected. Skin prick tests were conducted in year 3 to assess allergic sensitisation.
Results:
Two hundred seven patients completed three-year follow-up. Factors such as having siblings, exclusive breastfeeding and attending kindergarten were associated with increased risks of certain diseases at 1 and 3 years. Smoking exposure appeared protective against wheezing in the first year. Breastfeeding showed mixed results, with protective effects against URTIs at 1 year but a potential risk factor for asthma at 1 year. Kindergarten attendance was associated with increased risks of URTIs and AOM at 3 years but appeared protective against inhalant allergies.
Conclusion:
The study highlighted the complex interplay of various factors in the development of paediatric airway diseases. Further research is needed to refine our understanding of these factors and their impact on paediatric diseases.
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