Risk factors of bronchial asthma among children under fourteen years of age in Mosul

Abstract EN

Objective : The aim of this study is to identify the risk factors of asthma in children attending pediatric clinics in Ibn Sena and Al-Khansaa Teaching Hospitals, Mosul City, North of Iraq.

Methods : To achieve this aim, a case control study design was adopted, upon 150 children under 14 years old (cases) who have been diagnosed to have bronchial asthma according to the history and physical examination, with another 150 children with the same age group (controls) who diagnosed not to have asthma.

Period of data collection was six months from 1 October 2013 till 30 Mars 2014.

A specially designed questionnaire form has been prepared; this questionnaire was filled by direct interview with caregiver of both cases and controls.

Results : The present study showed that the highest frequency of asthma observed in age group 2-4 years (30%), more frequent asthma attacks occurred in males.

The significant risk factors for asthma are (family history of bronchial asthma, childhood history of allergy include atopic dermatitis or eczema, allergic rhinitis, food allergy, inhalant allergen sensitization, allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis, male gender, birth by cesarean section, low birth weight infant, premature baby, smoking of mother during the pregnancy, bottle feeding, severe lower respiratory tract infections, environmental tobacco smoke exposure and exposure to chlorinated swimming pools).

Conclusions : The highest frequency of asthma occurred in the age group 2-4 years, and more frequent asthma occurred in males and those live in urban area.

The very highly significant risk factors for asthma were family history of asthma, childhood history of allergy and male gender.