A Study on the Seasonal Occurrence of Asthma in Children

ABSTRACT

Well known predisposing factors of asthmatic attack are emotional factors, autonomic nerve dysfunctions, immunologic factors, endocrinologic factors and respiratory track infections. In addition, environmental factors are also important. Meteorological factors-temperature, air pre-ssure, relative humidity-seem to bo the mail triggering agents. According to our clinical experience, the hospotal admission rate of asthmatic children is hi-gher in certain seasons than in other seasons. In response to this observation, a study was conducted to determine the effects of weather and respiratory tract infections on the occurren-ce of asthmatic children in the department of Pediatrics at Severance Hospital, Yonsei Univers-ity, College of Medicine from Jan. 1976 to Dec. 1980. Meteorological data was supplied by the Central Meteorological Office, Seoul, Korea. Results were as follows; 1. The admission rate of asthmatic children was the higher in Autumn (10.8%) than in other seasons. 2. The monthly admission rate of asthmatic children was the highest in September (5.3%) and the lowest in January (0.3%). 3. During the period of rapid decrease of temperature from the highest monthly mean temp-erature in a year, the admission rate of asthmatic children was the highest. The monthly mean temperature of this period was under 18.6degrees C(16~21degrees C). 4. The admission rates of asthmaftic children are tend to be increased at the monthly mean relative humidity range of 66~72% (the average 67.2%). 5. During the period of an increase of monthly average range of temperature, the admission rate of asthmatic children is also increased. 6. During the period of rapid fluctuation of air pressure, the admission rate of asthmatic chil-dren is also increased. 7. There was no significant correlation between asthmatic attacks and respiratory infections.