Wheezing conditions in early childhood: prevalence and risk factors among preschool children

Abstract

Using current WHO guidelines, antibiotics are over prescribed in children with wheezing and bronchodilators are under utilized. There are, however, number of causes of wheeze and data on prevalence of wheeze and risk factor among preschool children is lacking in Pakistan. Aim: To determine the prevalence of wheezing in early childhood and identify various risk factors in pre school children. Methods: This study was conducted in the out patient department of the Children`s Hospital, Lahore, which is a tertiary center. It is a prospective hospital based study performed on the children with aged 1-59 months with acute respiratory symptoms. The researcher filled a questionnaire and patients were assessed in the asthma clinic. The study period was from 1st Jan to 31st December 2004. Results: The prevalence of recent wheeze was 15.8%. It was more common in infants 46.7%. Other risk factors were females 58%, high prevalence with family history of asthma 66%, and other allergic disease like allergic rhinitis 86% eczema 15%, Smoking 73.6% and low level of education 76.6%. With exclusive breastfeeding (33.3%) the prevalence was found to be low. Conclusion: The wheezing is a common symptom in early childhood diseases. Risk factors include age 1-12 months, females, family history of asthma and other allergic disorders. Parents` low education, over crowding and exposure to smoke are other important factors. The breast-feeding seems to have a protective role.