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Age and the impacts of triggers in childhood asthma
E P Sarafino1, M E Paterson, E L Murphy
1The College of New Jersey, Trenton 08650, USA.
Insights
As children with asthma age, allergy problems and physical activity become more significant asthma triggers. Nighttime hours and respiratory infections become less likely triggers for childhood asthma episodes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Allergology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Childhood asthma is a chronic respiratory condition affecting millions globally.
- Identifying asthma triggers is crucial for effective management and reducing exacerbations.
- The influence of various triggers may change as children mature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between child age and the impact of 12 common asthma triggers.
- To understand how the sensitivity to specific triggers evolves during childhood.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 119 families with asthmatic children.
- Examined correlations between age (2-20 years) and the impact of triggers like pollution, allergies, smoke, stress, temperature, humidity, infections, and physical activity.
- Statistical analysis to determine significant relationships.
Main Results:
- Positive correlations found between age and the impact of allergy problems (p=0.025) and physical activity (p=0.004).
- Negative correlations observed between age and the impact of nighttime hours (p=0.002) and respiratory infections (p=0.002).
- Age negatively correlated with respiratory infection frequency (p=0.000) and positively with hay fever intensity (p=0.047).
Conclusions:
- Asthma trigger profiles shift with age in children.
- Older children with asthma are more prone to episodes triggered by allergies and physical exertion.
- Younger children's asthma is more frequently associated with nighttime factors and respiratory infections.
Abstract:
This study examined the relationships among age (2-20 years) and the impacts of 12 common triggers in episodes of childhood asthma. The triggers were: air pollution, allergy problems, cigarette smoke, stress or worry, anger, excitement, laughter, high/low environmental temperature, high humidity, respiratory infection, nighttime hours, and physical activity. Data were analyzed from families with asthmatic children (n = 119) as part of a larger study of biological and psychosocial factors in asthma and other illnesses. Positive correlations were found for age and the trigger impacts of allergy problems (p = 0.025) and physical activity (p = 0.004); negative correlations were found for age and the trigger impacts of nighttime hours (p = 0.002) and respiratory infection (p = 0.002). Age was also negatively correlated with the frequency of recent respiratory infections (p = 0.000) and positively correlated with the intensity of hay fever episodes (p = 0.047). These findings indicate that as children with asthma get older, their asthma episodes are more likely to be influenced by allergy problems and physical activity, and less likely to be associated with nighttime hours and respiratory infections.
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