Risk factors for asthmatic children attending the paediatric clinic at Al-Aml National hospital, Sudan

Satti Abdelrahim Satti* and Omer Saeed Magzoub

Department of Pediatrics, Alaml National Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: sattiabd99@gmail.com; Tel: 0024991239038

Accepted 14 March, 2014

Abstract

Asthma is the most common respiratory disorder in children. It could be precipitated by several triggering factors including respiratory tract infection, smoke, weather changes and many other factors. To determine the risk factors for bronchial asthma in children attending the paediatric department at Al-amal National Hospital. A hospital based prospective study carried out  between 19/11/2012 to 20/2/2013 at Al-Amal National Hospital, Khartoum North, Sudan. 120 patients (1-18 years) were questioned about their medical history through a questionnaire form and examined clinically. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). 120 patients were included in the study. Male to female ratio was 1:55 to 1. Most of them (81.66%) have family history of bronchial asthma. Weather change (91.66%), respiratory tract infections (80%), smokes and fumes (77.5%), house dust (75%) and strong perfumes (69%) were found to be the major triggering factors. Asthma could be triggered by more than one factor in the same child. Only 39 patients were on regular follow up. All of them were on inhaled steroids. Only 4 were using long acting inhaled B₂ agonists and steroids. Asthma could be triggered by more than one factor in same child. Weather change is the most common triggering factor followed by respiratory tract infections, smokes and fumes, house dust and strong perfumes. Protocols for management of asthma modulated for local use will be of great help.

Keywords: Bronchial asthma, Children, Risk factors, Sudan.