clinical study of asthma in children

Fifty children with bronchial asthma were studied. Male female ratio was 2:1 and age of onset was above 2 years in 70%. The disease presented as an acute attack in 74% cases. Commonest precipitating factors were exercise, cold air, cold drinks and rice. Symptoms were more prominent during the night and in winters in 56%. Chest deformity was noted in 24% and eosinophilia in 71%. PEFR was lower than 80% of predicted in 67%, spirometry showed obstructive pattern in all those tested. Disease was mild in 48%, moderate in 40% and severe in 12%. Severity of the disease was statistically unrelated to known risk factors. Expected weight of the patients was significantly affected by the severity of the disease but height remained unaffected