Asthma and passive smoking in children

Abstract EN

Objective : To assess the morbidity of asthma (acute care visits and hospitalizations) in relation to tobacco smoke exposure at home.

Methods : A clinic nurse initially interviewed all new 81 patients with a diagnosis of asthma visiting the chest clinic at King Hussein Medical Center within the period from August 2000 to April 2001.

A specially designed record form was completed based upon recalled data.

Results: Only fifty-four patients were exposed to tobacco smoke.

In one year period before the visit, the total number of unscheduled care visits was 468 among 53 (98 %) of the smoke exposed group and 174 among 20 (74%) of the non-exposed (P value 0.001).

The number of hospitalization was 41 among 35 patients (65%) of the smoke exposed compared to 16 among 11 (40%) of the non-exposed group (P value 0.05).

The difference in number of acute care visits and hospitalizations was greater between exposed and non-exposed asthmatic children under 3 years of age.

Conclusion : Smoke exposed asthmatic children have higher morbidity than non-exposed patients, particularly those under three years of age.