title: Spectrum of childhood asthma in Galway.
abstract: We administered a questionnaire to the parents of 832 children in 4th class. 134 had wheezed in the previous 12 months. These children and matched controls were invited to attend for a brief clinical evaluation. 118 children with a history of wheeze and 118 age and sex matched wheeze free controls were seen. A brief questionnaire was administered. Heights and peak flow were measured. Children were assessed for the presence of chest deformity and eczema. There was a male predominance (1.7:1). Exercise induced symptoms were noted by 86% of children, but only 65% of parents in contrast, 65% of parents complained of night cough as against 28% of children. Over half had missed school because of asthma. Controls were asymptomatic. Height and peak flow measurements were similar in both groups. Chest deformity was evident in 25% of children with asthma, 8% had eczema and 27% were taking prophylactic medication. Childrens perception of asthma differs from that of their parents. School absence remains a problem and clinical evidence of hyper-inflation is common, though the absence of an overt effect on height and peak flow is encouraging.
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Department, University College Hospital, Galway.
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Memon
authors.forename: B G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Loftus
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D001249:Asthma / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001827:Body Height / Q000502:physiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D003371:Cough / Q000503:physiopathology; D004485:Eczema / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008019:Life Style; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000502:physiology; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000503:physiopathology; D013909:Thorax / Q000473:pathology