Cross-sectional survey of risk factors for asthma in 6-7-year-old children in New Zealand: International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood Phase Three.
OBJECTIVE
To identify risk factors for asthma in primary school-aged children in New Zealand.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey of 10,873 6-7-year-old children in Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Nelson and Christchurch (a response rate of 85.2%). A questionnaire was completed by the parent or care giver.


RESULTS
22.2% of children wheezed in the last 12 months (current wheeze). Maori children were at greater risk of current wheeze compared with European children (adjusted odds ratio (adjOR) = 1.37; 95% confidence interval = 1.18-1.59). Antibiotics and paracetamol used in the first year of life were associated with an increased risk of current wheeze (adjOR = 1.78 (1.56-2.04) and adjOR = 1.31 (1.06-1.61), respectively). Watching television for 5 or more hours per day was associated with an increased risk of current wheeze (adjOR = 1.44 (1.13-1.83)). Milk and egg consumption in the last 12 months was associated with a reduced risk of current wheeze.


CONCLUSIONS
This study has identified risk factors for asthma in children aged 6-7 years, although causal pathways cannot be established. These associations have important public health implications if causal.
Mitchell
Edwin A
EA
Department of Paediatrics, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. e.mitchell@auckland.ac.nz
Stewart
Alistair W
AW
Clayton
Tadd
T
Asher
M Innes
MI
Ellwood
Phillipa
P
Mackay
Richard
R
Moyes
Christopher
C
Pattemore
Phillip K
PK
Pearce
Neil
N
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000393:Air Pollutants; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000082:Acetaminophen