The association of prenatal risk factors with childhood asthma

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship of maternal complications during pregnancy and prenatal exposures with childhood asthma among low-income families in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods: Parents/guardians of children with and without asthma visiting a charity hospital were enrolled. Information about prenatal and perinatal exposures was collected. Univariable and multiple stepwise logistic regression analysis were conducted to explore the relationship of socio-demographic, maternal complications during pregnancy, access to prenatal care, and exposure to animals and pests while pregnant with childhood asthma. Results: Maternal symptoms of nocturnal cough (adjusted OR [aOR = 2.87, 95% CI = 1.60–5.14) and wheezing (aOR = 5.57, 95% CI = 2.32–13.37) during pregnancy significantly increased the odds of childhood asthma. The family history of asthma or hay fever, also elevated the odds of childhood asthma (adjusted OR [aOR] = 5.86 (3.03–11.34). The odds of asthma among children whose mothers received prenatal care by Dai, an unskilled health worker, were significantly elevated. Lastly, prenatal exposure to rats/mice and contact with goats while pregnant was significantly associated with childhood asthma. Whereas, prenatal exposure to cows/cattle reduces the odds of childhood asthma. Conclusions: This study identified important maternal and prenatal risk factors for childhood asthma, the majority of which are avoidable. Appropriate steps are needed to create awareness about the prenatal risk factors in this population.

Keywords:

• Asthma
• prenatal exposures
• maternal complications
• developing countries
• children
• low-income families

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Dr. Suboohi Mehdi and Dr. Shershah Syed of the Koohi Goth Women’s Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan for helping us successfully conduct the study. We also thank Mr. Azim Beg for translating the questionnaire.

Disclosure Statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Additional information

Funding

This project was supported by the Faculty Research Grant #1–11657 from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.