Seasonal differences in the treatment of childhood asthma

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to examine the frequency of respiratory symptoms in children with asthma who were off their medication during summer season.Materials and Methods: The records of 212 children with mild and moderate asthma were retrospectively analyzed between June and September 2017 at the pediatric pulmonary section, Mersin City Training & Research Hospital. Demographic characteristics, severity of asthma symptoms, current treatment, summer and fall season asthma attacks were compared among groups.Results: Data for a total 212 children at ages between 31/2 and 18 years were analyzed. Most patients did not report any asthma exacerbations (77.7% in preschool group and 87.0% in school-aged group) during summer. Approximately 42.6% of patients in preschool group and 32.6% of patients in school group showed variable asthma symptoms at the time of their fall clinic visit. Most patients did not report any asthma exacerbations (72.0% in preschool group and 70.9% in school-aged group) during summer. Approximately 44.0% of patients in preschool group and 56.2 % of patients in school group showed variable asthma symptoms at the time of their fall clinic visit.Conclusion: Most children with mild persistent asthma and moderate persistent asthma did not show any exacerbation in the absence of asthma controller treatment during summer. However, such a practice resulted an increase of asthma exacerbations during the subsequent fall season.