title: Pediatric asthma and ambient pollutant levels in industrializing nations.
abstract: Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in childhood and its prevalence has been increasing within industrializing nations. The contribution of ambient pollutants to asthma symptomatology has been explored in some countries through epidemiological investigations, molecular analysis and monitoring functional outcomes. The health effects of rising environmental pollution have been of increasing concern in industrializing nations with rising urbanization patterns. This review article provides an overview of the link between pediatric asthma and exposure to rising sources of urban air pollution. It primarily focuses on the asthma-specific effects of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone and particulate matter. Worldwide trends of asthma prevalence are also provided which detail the prominent rise in asthma symptoms in many urban areas of Africa, Latin America and Asia. The molecular and functional correlation of ambient pollutants with asthma-specific airway inflammation in the pediatric population are also highlighted. The final aspect of the review considers the correlation of motor vehicle, industrial and cooking energy sources, ascribed as the major emitters among the pollutants in urban settings, with asthma epidemiology in children.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, David M. Rubenstein Child Health Building, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 200 N. Wolfe Street, 3rd Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA mjassal1@jhmi.edu.
authors.forename: Mandeep S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Jassal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019049:Developed Countries; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009585:Nitrogen Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D010126:Ozone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide; D010126:Ozone; D009585:Nitrogen Dioxide
keywords: Air pollution; Asthma; Environment; Pediatric; Public health; Respiratory medicine