Mode of Delivery and Neonatal Characteristics as Risk Factors for Childhood Asthma in Qatar: A Case-Control Study

Samah Elshaar1, Khalid Zahraldin2,3, Ahmed Adel4

  • 1Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.

Pediatric Pulmonology
|March 22, 2026
PubMed

Insights

This study found no significant association between childhood asthma and delivery mode, gestational age, or birth weight in Qatar. Findings highlight the need for region-specific research on asthma risk factors.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Childhood asthma prevalence is increasing globally, representing a significant public health concern.
  • In Qatar, childhood asthma affects 34.6% of children, necessitating localized research.
  • Existing global literature may not capture Qatar's unique socio-cultural and genetic factors influencing asthma.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between childhood asthma and key perinatal/neonatal factors in Qatar.
  • Specifically examining mode of delivery, gestational age, and birth weight in relation to asthma development.

Main Methods:

  • A hospital-based case-control study conducted in Qatar (January 2020 - July 2023).
  • Included 830 childhood asthma cases and 1,512 controls (ages 6-14 years).
  • Analyzed Electronic Medical Records using logistic regression; managed confounders and missing data.

Main Results:

  • Asthma prevalence in the study cohort was 35.4%.
  • Asthma cases were more likely to be male and have a family history of asthma.
  • Cesarean delivery, preterm birth, and low birth weight showed non-significant trends towards increased asthma risk.

Conclusions:

  • No statistically significant associations were found between childhood asthma and the studied perinatal/neonatal factors in Qatar.
  • Emphasizes the critical need to consider regional variations and context-specific factors in health outcome research.
  • Highlights the importance of localized studies for understanding and addressing public health challenges like childhood asthma.
Abstract

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