Background: Asthma is the most common chronic illness among children in the United States and accounts for a substantial number of hospital admissions, physicians visits and school-loss days in that age group. A recent report by the National Academy of Sciences highlights the importance of environmental factors in the development of asthma. However, more evidence is needed on the role of perinatal factors such as preterm birth or low birthweight, which may predispose children to a higher risk of asthma because of immature lung development or the use of artificial ventilation or surfactants. Methods: The National Maternal and Infant Health Survey (NMIHS) and Longitudinal Followup (LF) provide information on prenatal factors, health at birth and health care utilization from medical records and maternal reports for the period of gestation through age three for a nationally representative cohort of births from 1988. Logistic regression is used to estimate the relative odds of asthma as a function of early respiratory health (e.g., respiratory distress syndrome) and use of respiratory treatments, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics of the child and his family, as well as environmental triggers such as cigarette smoke in the home. Results: Low birthweight and smoking are associated with elevated risks of asthma by age three; breastfeeding is protective. Conclusions: By identifying factors that are associated with subsequent development of asthma, preventive interventions can be developed to reduce the prevalence and impact of asthma among children.
Learning Objectives: 1) Describe factors in the perinatal period that influence the risk of asthma in young children; 2) Understand the importance of prospectively collected cohort data in the study of the etiology of asthma
Keywords: Asthma, Perinatal Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.