[Effects of asthma on nutritional status in children: a systematic review].
BACKGROUND
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of high prevalence, considered a public health problem and is thought to be one cause of low birth weight and growth retardation.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this article was to review in literature the effects of asthma on the nutritional status in children.


METHODS
A systematic review was made by searching for articles in PubMed, SciELO and LILACS databases. Review articles, studies with adults or research that did not evaluate the effects of asthma in children were excluded. Hence original articles in humans were included.


RESULTS
In the systematic review we found 901 articles in MEDLINE (1966-1996), 47 in LILACS and SciELO in the 16 - Brazil, totaling 964 articles. Of these, 17 articles were selected.


CONCLUSIONS
Evidence that asthma interferes in nutritional status can not be proven in this study.
Andrade da Cunha
Daniele
D
Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. hdfono@yahoo.com.br
Justino da Silva
Hilton
H
Pernambuco
Leandro de A
Lde A
Juliana R de Moraes
Klyvia
K
Jeronimo do Prado
Isabella
I
Moura de Andrade
Gutemberg
G
Andrade da Cunha
Renata
R
Karla B O Nascimento
Gerlane
G
Milena Freire Lima Régis
Renata
R
Maria M B de Castro
Celia
C
D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D009752:Nutritional Status