Meconium aspiration syndrome, parental atopy and asthma symptoms in children under two years old.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the association among meconium aspiration syndrome, parental atopy and asthma symptoms in children younger than two years.


METHODS
One hundred thirty six children who had suffered meconium aspiration syndrome were followed from birth to they were two years old. CONTROL GROUP included 136 healthy children without meconium aspiration syndrome.


RESULTS
Group of children with meconium aspiration syndrome: The average hospital stay in neonatal intensive care unit was of 5.91 +/- 4.44 days and were given 65.5 +/- 16.6 hours of oxygen. Prevalence of asthma symptoms during the last year was of 41.2%; 35.7% had family history of allergies (p = NS). The average age at the beginning of asthma symptoms was of 12.64 +/- 6.96 months; 78.6% of children were male.


METHODS
30.9% had wheezing episodes during the last 12 months; 28.6% were male; 38.1% had family history of allergies (p = NS). The average age at the beginning of asthma symptoms was of 15.57 +/- 6.05 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Aspiration of meconium seems to be an important risk factor of the early beginning of asthma symptoms in children younger than two years. Data shows that the prevalence of asthma symptoms was higher in case group than in control group. Asthma symptoms risk increases in children with aspiration meconium syndrome and family background of allergies.
Vázquez Nava
Francisco
F
Department of Research of the Faculty of Medicine of Tampico, Autonomous University of Tamaulipas, Mexico. fvazqueznava@yahoo.com.mx
Salas Ramírez
Eulalio
E
Sánchez Núncio
Héctor R
HR
Saldivar González
Atenógenes H
AH
Beltrán Saldaña
Juan
J
Cadena Mata
David
D
Pérez Rodŕiguez
Pedro
P
Pérez Martin
Jesús
J
Almeida
Victor Manuel
VM
Guidos Fogelbach
Guillermo
G
D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008471:Meconium Aspiration Syndrome; D010290:Parents