Abstract
Paediatric Asthma contributes in paediatric global burden of diseases, as the most common chronic disease in children. Children are exposed to many environmental risk-factors, able to determine or worsen respiratory diseases, and contributing to asthma and asthma-like symptoms increases, especially in metropolitan areas. In urban settings, surrounding vegetation (greenness) may provide important benefits to health, including the promotion of physical activity and the mitigation of air and noise pollution. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between greenness and respiratory health. A total of 187 children (10–13 yrs old) were recruited in Turin, the north-western part of Italy. The prevalence of asthma and asthma-like symptoms was calculated from self-reported data collected by SIDRIA questionnaire. Spirometry test was performed to obtain respiratory flow measurements. Greenness was measured at individual level through the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) estimations from remote-sensing images. Higher exposure (3rd tertile vs. 1st tertile) to NDVI was associated to significantly lower ORs for asthma [0.13 CI 95% 0.02–0.7, p = 0.019], bronchitis [0.14 CI 95% 0.05–0.45, p = 0.001], and current wheezing [0.25 CI 95% 0.09–0.70, p = 0.008]. A significative positive association was found between greenness and FEF25–75, since children exposed to the 2nd tertile of NDVI reported a significantly decreased FEF25–75 compared to those in the 3rd tertile [B: −2.40; C.I.95%: −0.48–0.01; p = 0.049]. This cross-sectional study provided additional data on still inconsistent literature referring to respiratory health in children and green spaces, attesting a positive effect of greenness in a specific area of Italy. Further research is still needed.
Highlights
Paediatric asthma is a widespread condition whose aetiology is multifactorial and may be influenced by a combination of individual and environmental features, such as genetic susceptibility, atopy, and several environmental exposures [1,2]
A significative positive association was found between greenness and FEF25–75, since children exposed to the 2nd tertile of Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) reported a significantly decreased FEF25–75 compared to those in the 3rd tertile [B: −2.40; C.I.95%: −0.48–0.01; p = 0.049]
The sample is homogeneous for age and anthropometric characteristics (BMI, weight and height), exposure to active/passive tobacco smoking measured, as subjectively by questionnaire as objectively, by urinary cotinine
Summary
Paediatric asthma is a widespread condition whose aetiology is multifactorial and may be influenced by a combination of individual and environmental features, such as genetic susceptibility, atopy, and several environmental exposures (e.g., traffic-related pollutants, tobacco smoking exposure, etc.) [1,2]. Asthma contributes in paediatric global burden of diseases, as the most common chronic disease in children [2]. Noticeable changes in the prevalence of asthma were described among countries [1] showing a global prevalence up to a peak of 20% in paediatric population [3]. De Marco [4] reported an increasing trend (+38%) for both asthma and asthma-like symptoms in the Italian population, from 1990 to 2010. In Italy the prevalence of asthma reached 8.6% in children aged 6–7 and 11.4% in adolescents [5].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
