Pediatric asthma and altitude: a complex interplay between different environmental factors

AbstractAsthma is one of the most common non-communicable diseases, and its prevalence and morbidity are influenced by a wide array of factors that are only partially understood. In addition to individual predisposition linked to genetic background and early life infections, environmental factors are crucial in determining the impact of asthma both on an individual patient and on a population level.Several studies have examined the role of the environment where asthmatic subjects live in the pathogenesis of asthma. This review aims to investigate the differences in the prevalence and characteristics of asthma between the pediatric population residing at higher altitudes and children living at lower altitudes, trying to define factors that potentially determine such differences. For this purpose, we reviewed articles from the literature concerning observational studies assessing the prevalence of pediatric asthma in these populations and its characteristics, such as spirometric and laboratory parameters and associated sensitization to aeroallergens.Despite the heterogeneity of the environments examined, the hypothesis of a beneficial effect of residing at a higher altitude on the prevalence of pediatric asthma could be confirmed, as well as a good profile on airway inflammation in asthmatic children. However, the possibility of a higher hospitalization risk for asthma in children living at higher altitudes was demonstrated. Moreover, a positive association between residing at ...
Source: Italian Journal of Pediatrics - Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research