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Related Experiment Videos

Home environment and childhood asthma

M G Leen1, T O'Connor, C Kelleher

  • 1Department of Physics, University College Galway, Blackrock Clinic, Dublin.

Irish Medical Journal
|September 1, 1994
PubMed
Summary

Childhood asthma rates are rising, but home environments show no significant differences between asthmatic and control children. High levels of dust mite allergen (DERp1) are common in most homes, potentially triggering asthma in susceptible children.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatric Allergy
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Childhood asthma prevalence has surged globally over the last two decades.
  • Changes in the home environment, particularly house dust mite proliferation, are suspected contributors.
  • Existing research lacks comprehensive comparisons of home environments between asthmatic and non-asthmatic children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and compare the home environments of children diagnosed with asthma versus healthy controls.
  • To identify specific environmental factors that may correlate with childhood asthma.
  • To assess the levels of house dust mite allergen Der p 1 (DERp1) in homes of asthmatic children.

Main Methods:

  • A questionnaire survey was administered to parents of 134 children with asthma and 118 controls.

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  • Detailed measurements of home temperature, humidity, and DERp1 levels were conducted in a subset of 20 homes (10 per group).
  • Statistical analysis compared environmental factors, family history of atopy, and allergen levels between the two groups.

    • Main Results:

    • No significant differences were found in social class, housing type, smoking, pets, heating, bedding, carpeting, or cleaning habits between asthma and control homes.
    • A family history of atopy was more prevalent in asthmatic families (42%) compared to controls (16%).
    • Temperature, humidity, and DERp1 levels were similar in both groups, with most homes exceeding recommended norms; 48% had DERp1 levels five times the threshold.

    Conclusions:

    • The study found no significant differences in the home environment between children with and without asthma.
    • Current home environments appear generally favorable for house dust mite proliferation, leading to widespread exposure to high DERp1 levels.
    • Increased allergen load may contribute to the rising prevalence of childhood asthma, particularly in children with an atopic predisposition.