ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL TRIGGERS IN CHILDHOOD WHEEZE: A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Abstract: Background: Wheezing is a high pitched whistling sound that occurs when smaller airways are narrowed by presence of either bronchospasm, swelling of mucosal lining, excessive amounts of secretions, or inhaled foreign body. Childhood wheeze is triggered by inhaling certain substance such as animal dander, molds, cockroaches, pollen from plants, dust mites. An asthma attack can be induced or aggravated by direct irritants to lungs such as smoking, food allergy, air pollution. Objective: The aim of our study is to assess the environmental triggers associated with childhood wheeze and to educate caretakers based on life style modifications. Methods: A prospective observational study was done on environmental triggers associated with childhood wheeze in tertiary care hospital, Coimbatore during the period of 23rd January- 22nd July (6 months). The data was collected based on the validated checklist on triggers. Results and discussion: A total of 116 patients were enrolled in age group up to 3 years, 4 years to 8 years and 9 years and above. Among them, 66 were male and 50 were females. About 112 children were suffering from wheeze in childhood. The main triggers associated with wheeze were cold, allergen, weather, air pollution and dust allergy. Conclusion: we concluded that wheeze is triggered by substance such as weather, air pollution, dust, smoke, pet animals and allergens such as animal dander, mold, pollen from plants, dust mites Keywords: Wheeze, Triggers, Allergens, Children, Pollution.