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WASHINGTON — Exposure to environmental asthma triggers at home was significantly associated with an increased risk of asthma-related hospitalizations in children younger than 4 years, compared with older children, based on data from 306 children up to 18 years old.
The percentage of hospitalizations for asthma in younger children also rose significantly with the number of home triggers, said Elizabeth Banda of the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Ms. Banda and her colleagues reviewed data from children with asthma enrolled in an asthma prevention program. The children were divided into three age groups: 0-4 years, 5-11 years, and 12 and older. The researchers collected data on hospitalizations and on the indoor allergens in each child's home via questionnaires.
Compared with older children, asthma hospitalizations in children aged 0-4 years were more than three times as likely to be associated with smoke, molds, or dampness; more than four times as likely to be associated with basement use and rodents; and more than five times as likely to be associated with roaches and clutter. The results were presented in a poster at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.
Also, in children 0-4 years of age, the risk of asthma hospitalization was 9 times greater if they were exposed to five to six of these home conditions, compared with zero to four, and nearly 16 times greater if they were exposed to more than six.
The results were limited by the small sample size, cross-sectional design, and a lack of information about the degree of exposure to indoor environmental allergens. The findings suggest that younger children may be at greater risk because they spend more time in the home being exposed to indoor environmental triggers, compared with older children, the researchers said.
The study was supported by Merck Childhood Asthma Network Inc. Ms. Banda said she had no financial conflicts to disclose.
ELSEVIER GLOBAL MEDICAL NEWS
WASHINGTON — Exposure to environmental asthma triggers at home was significantly associated with an increased risk of asthma-related hospitalizations in children younger than 4 years, compared with older children, based on data from 306 children up to 18 years old.
The percentage of hospitalizations for asthma in younger children also rose significantly with the number of home triggers, said Elizabeth Banda of the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Ms. Banda and her colleagues reviewed data from children with asthma enrolled in an asthma prevention program. The children were divided into three age groups: 0-4 years, 5-11 years, and 12 and older. The researchers collected data on hospitalizations and on the indoor allergens in each child's home via questionnaires.
Compared with older children, asthma hospitalizations in children aged 0-4 years were more than three times as likely to be associated with smoke, molds, or dampness; more than four times as likely to be associated with basement use and rodents; and more than five times as likely to be associated with roaches and clutter. The results were presented in a poster at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.
Also, in children 0-4 years of age, the risk of asthma hospitalization was 9 times greater if they were exposed to five to six of these home conditions, compared with zero to four, and nearly 16 times greater if they were exposed to more than six.
The results were limited by the small sample size, cross-sectional design, and a lack of information about the degree of exposure to indoor environmental allergens. The findings suggest that younger children may be at greater risk because they spend more time in the home being exposed to indoor environmental triggers, compared with older children, the researchers said.
The study was supported by Merck Childhood Asthma Network Inc. Ms. Banda said she had no financial conflicts to disclose.
ELSEVIER GLOBAL MEDICAL NEWS
WASHINGTON — Exposure to environmental asthma triggers at home was significantly associated with an increased risk of asthma-related hospitalizations in children younger than 4 years, compared with older children, based on data from 306 children up to 18 years old.
The percentage of hospitalizations for asthma in younger children also rose significantly with the number of home triggers, said Elizabeth Banda of the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Ms. Banda and her colleagues reviewed data from children with asthma enrolled in an asthma prevention program. The children were divided into three age groups: 0-4 years, 5-11 years, and 12 and older. The researchers collected data on hospitalizations and on the indoor allergens in each child's home via questionnaires.
Compared with older children, asthma hospitalizations in children aged 0-4 years were more than three times as likely to be associated with smoke, molds, or dampness; more than four times as likely to be associated with basement use and rodents; and more than five times as likely to be associated with roaches and clutter. The results were presented in a poster at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.
Also, in children 0-4 years of age, the risk of asthma hospitalization was 9 times greater if they were exposed to five to six of these home conditions, compared with zero to four, and nearly 16 times greater if they were exposed to more than six.
The results were limited by the small sample size, cross-sectional design, and a lack of information about the degree of exposure to indoor environmental allergens. The findings suggest that younger children may be at greater risk because they spend more time in the home being exposed to indoor environmental triggers, compared with older children, the researchers said.
The study was supported by Merck Childhood Asthma Network Inc. Ms. Banda said she had no financial conflicts to disclose.
ELSEVIER GLOBAL MEDICAL NEWS