The indoor environment and inner-city childhood asthma.
Year: 2014
Type: review
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Exposure to indoor pollutants and allergens has been speculated to cause asthma symptoms and exacerbations and influence the risk of developing asthma. The aim of this article is to review the medical literature regarding the role of the indoor environment on inner-city childhood asthma. DATA SOURCES: A literature search was performed in PubMed. Studies focusing on inner-city indoor allergen, childhood asthma, and environmental controls were included. RESULTS: The prevalence of asthma in children is increasing especially in inner-city area. Exposure to high levels of indoor allergens and pollutants has been related to asthma development. Studies have shown that mouse, cockroach, pets, dust mite, mold, tobacco smoke, endotoxin and nitrogen dioxide are the important exposures. Recent studies have shown that indoor environmental control is beneficial in reducing asthma morbidity and development. CONCLUSIONS: Inner-city children are exposed to various indoor allergens and pollutants that may lead to asthma development and exacerbation of existing asthma. Multifaceted environmental controls are beneficial in improving asthma symptom and maybe a viable prevention strategy. Further prospective studies of environmental intervention are needed to further identify effective strategies to improve and prevent asthma symptoms in inner-city children.
Source: PubMed
Institution: Boston Children's Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Awards: School-based air pollution and asthma morbidity in Inner City School Children, AsthmaNet: Brigham and Women's Hospital & Children's Hospital Boston, ALLERGENS IN INNER-CITY SCHOOLS AND CHILDHOOD ASTHMA, K24: Midcareer Investigator Award: Urban School Allergen Exposure and Childhood Asthma, Harvard Clinical and Translational Science Center
OpenAlex ID: W1878937491