Asthma: Childhood https://greenmedinfo.com/taxonomy/term/6421/all en Adherence to the Mediterranean diet early in life protects against the development of asthma and atopy in children. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/adherence-mediterranean-diet-early-life-protects-against-development-asthma-an PMID:  Public Health Nutr. 2009 Sep;12(9A):1629-34. PMID: 19689832 Abstract Title:  Prenatal and childhood Mediterranean diet and the development of asthma and allergies in children. Abstract:  OBJECTIVE: To discuss current evidence about the relation between prenatal and childhood Mediterranean diet, and the development of asthma and allergies in children. DESIGN: Review of the literature. SETTING AND RESULTS: Four recent studies conducted in Mediterranean countries (Spain, Greece) and one conducted in Mexico evaluated the association between childhood Mediterranean diet and asthma outcomes in children. All of the studies reported beneficial associations between a high level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet during childhood and symptoms of asthma or allergic rhinitis. Individual foods or food groups contributing to the protective effect of Mediterranean diet included fish, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and cereals, while detrimental components included red meat, margarine and junk food intake. Two studies focused on prenatal Mediterranean diet: the first is a birth cohort in Spain that showed a protective effect of a high adherence to the Mediterranean diet during pregnancy on persistent wheeze, atopic wheeze and atopy at the age of 6.5 years; while the second is a cross-sectional study in Mexico, collecting information more than 6 years after pregnancy, that showed no associations between maternal Mediterranean diet during pregnancy and allergic symptoms in childhood except for current sneezing. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from recent studies suggest that a high level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet early in life protects against the development of asthma and atopy in children. Further studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms of this protective effect, to evaluate the most relevant window of exposure, and to address specific components of diet in relation to disease. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/adherence-mediterranean-diet-early-life-protects-against-development-asthma-an#comments Allergies Asthma: Childhood Infant Nutrition Prenatal Nutrition: Health of the Offspring Dietary Modification: Mediterranean Diet Human Study Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:39:33 +0000 greenmedinfo 50266 at https://greenmedinfo.com Black Seed Oil Puts Deadly Asthma Meds to Shame https://greenmedinfo.com/blog/black-seed-oil-puts-deadly-asthma-meds-shame <div class="copyright">This article is copyrighted by GreenMedInfo LLC, 2021<br/><strong><a href="/greenmedinfocom-re-post-guidelines">Visit our Re-post guidelines</a></strong></div><p class="rtecenter" dir="ltr"><img alt="" src="//cdn.greenmedinfo.com/sites/default/files/ckeditor/Sayer Ji/images/asthma_drug_alternatives_black_seed_greenmedinfo.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size:22px;"><em><strong>The powerful black seed known as nigella sativa strikes again! This time proving that food can be a powerful asthma medication alternative.&nbsp;</strong></em></span></p><p><a href="https://greenmedinfo.com/blog/black-seed-oil-puts-deadly-asthma-meds-shame" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://greenmedinfo.com/blog/black-seed-oil-puts-deadly-asthma-meds-shame#comments Asthma Asthma: Childhood Asthma: Prevention Nigella sativa (aka Black Seed) Corticosteroid Health Guide: Herbs and Traditional Knowledge Health Guides: Healing Foods drug alternatives Superiority of Natural Substances versus Drugs Mon, 26 Feb 2018 17:26:49 +0000 Sayer Ji 142205 at https://greenmedinfo.com Breathing exercise and yoga/ pranayama may have some additive role in the treatment of childhood asthma. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/breathing-exercise-and-yoga-pranayama-may-have-some-additive-role-treatment-ch PMID:  Curr Pediatr Rev. 2019 Jan 21. Epub 2019 Jan 21. PMID: 30663571 Abstract Title:  Role of Breathing Exercises And Yoga/Pranayam In Childhood Asthma: A Systematic Review. Abstract:  BACKGROUND: Various complementary or alternative medicines (including breathing exercises and yoga/pranayama) have been tried as an attractive option to pharmacotherapy in childhood asthma.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of breathing exercise and yoga/pranayama as add on therapy to the&quot;pharmacologically recommended treatment&quot;of childhood asthma.METHODS: We searched the published literature through the major databases: Medline via Ovid, PubMed, CENTRAL, Embase, and Google Scholar till June 2018. Randomized trials comparing breathing exercises and yoga/ pranayama versus control or as part of a composite intervention versus control were included. The primary outcome measures were quality of life and change in asthma symptoms. Secondary outcomes were: decrease in medication use, number of exacerbations, change in lung function and immunological parameters, school absenteeism, and adverse events.RESULTS: A total of 10 trials (466 children, 6-14 years age) were included. The severity of asthma varied among the trials. The data for primary outcome measures could not be pooled, there were mixed results for both primary and secondary outcomes. No significant benefit was obtained in acute asthma, and the lung function tests [except PEFR % at 4-6 weeks, PEF absolute at 3 months, and FVC absolute at 3 months] in chronic asthma. One trial compared breathing exercise versus yoga, and found no difference. Adverse events were not significant.CONCLUSIONS: Breathing exercise and yoga/ pranayama may have some additive role in the treatment of childhood asthma. However, at present it cannot be recommended as a standard of care due to insufficient data. <p><a href="https://greenmedinfo.com/article/breathing-exercise-and-yoga-pranayama-may-have-some-additive-role-treatment-ch" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://greenmedinfo.com/article/breathing-exercise-and-yoga-pranayama-may-have-some-additive-role-treatment-ch#comments Asthma: Childhood Integrative Medicine Yoga Yogic Breathing Review Fri, 23 Aug 2019 23:01:33 +0000 greenmedinfo 194742 at https://greenmedinfo.com Childhood asthma may be a consequence of vitamin D deficiency. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/childhood-asthma-may-be-consequence-vitamin-d-deficiency PMID:  Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009 Jun;9(3):202-7. PMID: 19365260 Abstract Title:  Childhood asthma may be a consequence of vitamin D deficiency. Abstract:  PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Vitamin D deficiency has been rediscovered as a public-health problem worldwide. It has been postulated that vitamin D deficiency may explain a portion of the asthma epidemic. The purpose of this review is to present the evidence for a role of vitamin D in asthma. RECENT FINDINGS: Both animal models and studies in human fetal tissues show that vitamin D plays a role in fetal lung growth and maturation. Epidemiologic studies have also suggested that higher prenatal vitamin D intakes have a protective role against wheezing illnesses in young children. Vitamin D may protect against wheezing illnesses through its role in upregulating antimicrobial proteins or through its multiple immune effects. In addition, vitamin D may play a therapeutic role in steroid resistant asthmatics, and lower vitamin D levels have recently been associated with higher risks for asthma exacerbations. SUMMARY: Improving vitamin D status holds promise in primary prevention of asthma, in decreasing exacerbations of disease, and in treating steroid resistance. However, the appropriate level of circulating vitamin D for optimal immune functioning remains unclear. Because vitamin D deficiency is prevalent even in sun-replete areas, clinical trials are needed to definitively answer questions about the role of vitamin D in asthma. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/childhood-asthma-may-be-consequence-vitamin-d-deficiency#comments Asthma Asthma: Childhood Vitamin D Commentary Wed, 05 Aug 2009 21:59:45 +0000 greenmedinfo 46472 at https://greenmedinfo.com Exclusive breast-feeding during the first months after birth is associated with lower asthma rates during childhood. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/exclusive-breast-feeding-during-first-months-after-birth-associated-lower-asth PMID:  J Pediatr. 2001 Aug;139(2):261-6. PMID: 11487754 Abstract Title:  Breast-feeding and the risk of bronchial asthma in childhood: a systematic review with meta-analysis of prospective studies. Abstract:  BACKGROUND: The protective effect of breast-feeding on the development of childhood asthma remains a matter of controversy. We conducted a systematic review of prospective studies that evaluated the association between exclusive breast-feeding during the first 3 months after birth and asthma. STUDY DESIGN: We searched the 1966-1999 MEDLINE database and reviewed reference lists of relevant articles to identify 12 prospective studies that met pre-stated inclusion criteria. Methodological aspects of the studies, duration and exclusivity of breast-feeding, and outcomes were assessed. Effect estimates were abstracted by the investigators, using a standardized approach. RESULTS: The summary odds ratio (OR) for the protective effect of breast-feeding was 0.70 (95% CI 0.60 to 0.81). The effect estimate was greater in studies of children with a family history of atopy (OR = 0.52) than in studies of a combined population (OR = 0.73). CONCLUSIONS: Exclusive breast-feeding during the first months after birth is associated with lower asthma rates during childhood. The effect, caused by immunomodulatory qualities of breast milk, avoidance of allergens, or a combination of these and other factors, strengthens the advantage of breast-feeding, especially if a family history of atopy is present. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/exclusive-breast-feeding-during-first-months-after-birth-associated-lower-asth#comments Asthma: Childhood Breast Milk Bronchial Asthma Infant Problems Postnatal Care: Breastfeeding Breastfeeding Human Study Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:00:27 +0000 greenmedinfo 49315 at https://greenmedinfo.com Higher sugar sweetened beverage and fructose intake during pregnancy and in early childhood may influence childhood asthma development. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/higher-sugar-sweetened-beverage-and-fructose-intake-during-pregnancy-and-early PMID:  Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2017 Dec 8. Epub 2017 Dec 8. PMID: 29219619 Abstract Title:  Prenatal and Early-Life Fructose, Fructose-Containing Beverages, and Mid-Childhood Asthma. Abstract:  RATIONALE: Cross-sectional studies have linked intake of high fructose corn syrup sweetened beverages with asthma in school children.OBJECTIVE: To examine associations of maternal prenatal and early childhood intake of sugar sweetened beverages and fructose with current asthma in mid-childhood (median 7.7years).METHODS: We assessed maternal pregnancy (1st and 2nd trimester average) and child (median 3.3years) intake of sugar sweetened beverages and total fructose using food frequency questionnaires in 1068 mother-child pairs from Project Viva, a prospective pre-birth cohort. In a multivariable analysis, we examined associations of quartiles of maternal and child sugar sweetened beverage, juice, and total fructose intake with child current asthma in mid-childhood, assessed by questionnaire as ever doctor-diagnosed asthma plus taking asthma medications or reporting wheezing in the past 12months.RESULTS: Higher maternal pregnancy sugar sweetened beverage consumption (mean 0.6 servings/day; range 0-5) was associated with younger maternal age, non-white race/ethnicity, lower education and income, and higher pre-pregnancy BMI. Adjusting for pre-pregnancy BMI and other covariates, comparing quartile 4 v. quartile 1, higher maternal pregnancy intake of sugar sweetened beverages (OR 1.70; 95%CI 1.08, 2.67) and total fructose (OR 1.58; 0.98, 2.53) were associated with greater odds of mid-childhood current asthma (prevalence=19%). Higher early childhood fructose intake (quartile 4 v. quartile 1) was also associated with mid-childhood current asthma in models adjusted for maternal sugar sweetened beverages (OR 1.79; 1.07, 2.97) and after additional adjustment for mid-childhood BMI z-score (OR 1.77; 1.06, 2.95).CONCLUSION: Higher sugar sweetened beverage and fructose intake during pregnancy and in early childhood may influence childhood asthma development, in part through mechanisms apart from adiposity. <p><a href="https://greenmedinfo.com/article/higher-sugar-sweetened-beverage-and-fructose-intake-during-pregnancy-and-early" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://greenmedinfo.com/article/higher-sugar-sweetened-beverage-and-fructose-intake-during-pregnancy-and-early#comments Asthma: Childhood High Fructose Diet Prenatal Chemical Exposures Sugar Sweetened Beverages Risk Factors Human Study Wed, 27 Dec 2017 14:37:40 +0000 greenmedinfo 157759 at https://greenmedinfo.com Home asthma triggers: barriers to asthma control in Chicago Puerto Rican children. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/home-asthma-triggers-barriers-asthma-control-chicago-puerto-rican-children PMID:  J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2013 May ;24(2):813-27. PMID: 23728047 Abstract Title:  Home asthma triggers: barriers to asthma control in Chicago Puerto Rican children. Abstract:  We sought objectively to measure, summarize, and contextualize the asthma triggers found in the homes of urban high-risk Puerto Rican children and adolescents with asthma in Chicago. Data were from the baseline home assessments of Project CURA. Research assistants interviewed caregivers, conducted a home visual inspection, and collected saliva samples for cotinine analysis. A trigger behavior summary score was created. The housing inspected was old with multiple units and obvious structural deficiencies. Many allergic and irritant triggers were observed. Having a controller medicine or private insurance was associated with lower trigger behavior summary scores; caregiver depression, caregiver perceived stress, and child negative life events were associated with high trigger scores. The final multivariate model retained had a controller medicine, private insurance, and caregiver perceived stress. The data from this high-risk cohort identified modifiable areas where environmental interventions could reduce morbidity in Puerto Rican children and adolescents. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/home-asthma-triggers-barriers-asthma-control-chicago-puerto-rican-children#comments Asthma: Childhood Stress Human Study Fri, 16 Aug 2013 02:41:31 +0000 greenmedinfo 109444 at https://greenmedinfo.com Increased risk of hospital admission for asthma in children from short-term exposure to air pollution. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/increased-risk-hospital-admission-asthma-children-short-term-exposure-air-poll PMID:  Front Public Health. 2021 ;9:798746. Epub 2021 Dec 17. PMID: 34976938 Abstract Title:  Increased Risk of Hospital Admission for Asthma in Children From Short-Term Exposure to Air Pollution: Case-Crossover Evidence From Northern China. Abstract:  Previous studies suggested that exposure to air pollution could increase risk of asthma attacks in children. The aim of this study is to investigate the short-term effects of exposure to ambient air pollution on asthma hospital admissions in children in Beijing, a city with serious air pollution and high-quality medical care at the same time.We collected hospital admission data of asthma patients aged≤ 18 years old from 56 hospitals from 2013 to 2016 in Beijing, China. Time-stratified case-crossover design and conditional Poisson regression were applied to explore the association between risk of asthma admission in children and the daily concentration of six air pollutants [particulate matter≤ 2.5 μm (PM), particulate matter≤ 10 μm (PM), sulfur dioxide (SO), nitrogen dioxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O)], adjusting for meteorological factors and other pollutants. Additionally, stratified analyses were performed by age, gender, and season.In the single-pollutant models, higher levels of PM, SO, and NOwere significantly associated with increased risk of hospital admission for asthma in children. The strongest effect was observed in NOat lag06 (= 1.25, 95%CI: 1.06-1.48), followed by SOat lag05 (= 1.17, 95%CI: 1.05-1.31). The robustness of effects of SOand NOwere shown in two-pollutant models. Stratified analyses further indicated that pre-school children (aged≤ 6 years) were more susceptible to SO. The effects of SOwere stronger in the cold season, while the effects of NOwere stronger in the warm season. No significant sex-specific differences were observed.These results suggested that high levels of air pollution had an adverse effect on childhood asthma, even in a region with high-quality healthcare. Therefore, it will be significant to decrease hospital admissions for asthma in children by controlling air pollution emission and avoiding exposure to air pollution. <p><a href="https://greenmedinfo.com/article/increased-risk-hospital-admission-asthma-children-short-term-exposure-air-poll" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://greenmedinfo.com/article/increased-risk-hospital-admission-asthma-children-short-term-exposure-air-poll#comments Air Pollution Linked Toxicity Asthma: Childhood Risk Factors Human Study Tue, 11 Jan 2022 00:27:30 +0000 greenmedinfo 251512 at https://greenmedinfo.com Inhaled vitamin D is a potentially safe and effective novel strategy to enhance neonatal lung maturation. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/inhaled-vitamin-d-potentially-safe-and-effective-novel-strategy-enhance-neonat PMID:  Lung. 2016 Sep 10. Epub 2016 Sep 10. PMID: 27614961 Abstract Title:  Inhaled Vitamin D: A Novel Strategy to Enhance Neonatal Lung Maturation. Abstract:  INTRODUCTION: The physiologic vitamin D (VD), 1α,25(OH)2D3 (1,25D) is a local paracrine/autocrine effecter of fetal lung maturation. By stimulating alveolar type II cell and lipofibroblast proliferation and differentiation, parenterally administered 1,25D has been shown to enhance neonatal lung maturation; but due to the potential systemic sideeffects of the parenteral route, the translational value of these findings might be limited. To minimize the possibility of systemic toxicity, we examined the effects of VD on neonatal lung maturation, when delivered directly to lungs via nebulization.METHODS: One-day-old rat pups were administered three different doses of 1,25D and its physiologic precursor 25(OH)D (25D), or the diluent, via nebulization daily for 14 days. Pups were sacrificed for lung, kidneys, and blood collection to determine markers of lung maturation, and serum 25D and calcium levels.RESULTS: Compared to controls, nebulized 25D and 1,25D enhanced lung maturation as evidenced by the increased expression of markers of alveolar epithelial (SP-B, leptin receptor), mesenchymal (PPARγ, C/EBPα), and endothelial (VEGF, FLK-1) differentiation, surfactant phospholipid synthesis, and lung morphology without any significant increases in serum 25D and calcium levels.CONCLUSIONS: Inhaled VD is a potentially safe and effective novel strategy to enhance neonatal lung maturation. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/inhaled-vitamin-d-potentially-safe-and-effective-novel-strategy-enhance-neonat#comments Asthma: Childhood Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Vitamin D Animal Study Mon, 12 Sep 2016 13:50:54 +0000 greenmedinfo 134890 at https://greenmedinfo.com Magnesium significantly improves severe acute asthma in children. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/magnesium-significantly-improves-severe-acute-asthma-children PMID:  Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2000 Oct;154(10):979-83. PMID: 11030848 Abstract Title:  Higher-dose intravenous magnesium therapy for children with moderate to severe acute asthma. Abstract:  OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a 40-mg/kg dose of intravenous magnesium sulfate for moderate to severe asthma exacerbations in pediatric patients. STUDY DESIGN: Double-blind placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: Two urban tertiary care pediatric emergency departments. SUBJECTS: Thirty patients, aged 6 to 17.9 years, being treated for an acute asthma exacerbation. INTERVENTION: Eligible patients received either a magnesium sulfate infusion of 40 mg/kg or saline solution. RESULTS: At 20 minutes, the time at which the infusion was completed, the magnesium group had a significantly greater percentage of absolute improvement from baseline in each of the following: predicted peak expiratory flow rate (8.6% vs 0.3%, P&lt;. 001), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (7.0% vs 0.2%,P&lt;.001), and forced vital capacity (7.3% vs -0.7%, P&lt;.001). The improvement was greater at 110 minutes: peak expiratory flow rate (25.8% vs 1.9%, P&lt;.001), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (24.1% vs 2.3%; P&lt;. 001), and forced vital capacity (27.3% vs 2.6%, P&lt;.001). Patients who received intravenous magnesium were more likely to be discharged to their homes than those who received the placebo (8/16 vs 0/14; P=. 002). CONCLUSION: Children treated with 40 mg/kg of intravenous magnesium sulfate for moderate to severe asthma showed remarkable improvement in short-term pulmonary function. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/magnesium-significantly-improves-severe-acute-asthma-children#comments Asthma Asthma: Childhood Magnesium Magnesium Sulfate Human Study Mon, 20 Apr 2009 06:10:45 +0000 greenmedinfo 41876 at https://greenmedinfo.com New Study Finds Magnesium Superior to Drug for Severe Asthma in Children https://greenmedinfo.com/blog/new-study-finds-magnesium-superior-drug-severe-asthma-children <div class="copyright">This article is copyrighted by GreenMedInfo LLC, 2023<br/><strong><a href="/greenmedinfocom-re-post-guidelines">Visit our Re-post guidelines</a></strong></div><p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="//cdn.greenmedinfo.com/sites/default/files/ckeditor/Sayer Ji/images/asthma2.jpg.png" style="width: 600px; height: 430px;" /></p> <h3> <em>Intravenous magnesium sulfate rapidly and safely calms severe asthma attacks unresponsive to initial treatments in children, significantly outperforming the risks of aminophylline in a head-to-head trial.</em></h3> <p>A recent randomized trial published in <em>Andes Pediatrica</em> found that intravenous magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) at a dose of 50mg/kg led to greater improvement in symptoms compared to intravenous aminophylline for children with acute severe asthma failing initial emergency room treatment.<sup>1</sup></p><p><a href="https://greenmedinfo.com/blog/new-study-finds-magnesium-superior-drug-severe-asthma-children" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://greenmedinfo.com/blog/new-study-finds-magnesium-superior-drug-severe-asthma-children#comments Asthma Asthma: Bronchial Asthma: Childhood aminophylline Superiority of Natural Substances versus Drugs Sat, 30 Dec 2023 23:19:40 +0000 Sayer Ji 285568 at https://greenmedinfo.com Several pollutants appear to increase neonatal respiratory outcome risks. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/several-pollutants-appear-increase-neonatal-respiratory-outcome-risks PMID:  Ann Epidemiol. 2018 Sep ;28(9):612-618.e4. Epub 2018 Jun 13. PMID: 30153910 Abstract Title:  Air pollution exposure during pregnancy: maternal asthma and neonatal respiratory outcomes. Abstract:  PURPOSE: Maternal asthma increases adverse neonatal respiratory outcomes, and pollution may further increase risk. Air quality in relation to neonatal respiratory health has not been studied.METHODS: Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN), asphyxia, and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) were identified using medical records among 223,375 singletons from the Consortium on Safe Labor (2002-2008). Community Multiscale Air Quality models estimated pollutant exposures. Multipollutant Poisson regression models calculated adjusted relative risks of outcomes for interquartile range increases in average exposure. Maternal asthma and preterm delivery were evaluated as effect modifiers.RESULTS: TTN risk increased after particulate matter (PM) less than or equal to 10-micron exposure during preconception and trimester one (9-10%), and whole-pregnancy exposure to PM less than or equal to 2.5 microns (PM; 17%) and carbon monoxide (CO; 10%). Asphyxia risk increased after exposure to PMin trimester one (48%) and whole pregnancy (84%), CO in trimester two and whole pregnancy (28-32%), and consistently for ozone (34%-73%). RDS risk was associated with increased concentrations of nitrogen oxides (33%-42%) and ozone (9%-21%) during all pregnancy windows. Inverse associations were observed with several pollutants, particularly sulfur dioxide. No interaction with maternal asthma was observed. Restriction to term births yielded similar results.CONCLUSIONS: Several pollutants appear to increase neonatal respiratory outcome risks. <p><a href="https://greenmedinfo.com/article/several-pollutants-appear-increase-neonatal-respiratory-outcome-risks" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://greenmedinfo.com/article/several-pollutants-appear-increase-neonatal-respiratory-outcome-risks#comments Air Pollution Linked Toxicity Asthma: Childhood Risk Factors Human Study Thu, 20 Sep 2018 01:59:40 +0000 greenmedinfo 170960 at https://greenmedinfo.com Tai Chi Chuan can improve the pulmonary function of asthmatic children. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/tai-chi-chuan-can-improve-pulmonary-function-asthmatic-children PMID:  J Microbiol Immunol Infect. 2008 Feb;41(1):88-95. PMID: 18327432 Abstract Title:  Tai Chi Chuan training improves the pulmonary function of asthmatic children. Abstract:  BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Tai Chi Chuan, a traditional Chinese exercise, is thought to improve cardiopulmonary function in patients with chronic disease. This study investigated the effect of Tai Chi Chuan on the pulmonary function and daily symptoms of asthmatic children. METHODS: Thirty asthmatic children were enrolled into the study. Fifteen of the 30 children participated in a 12-week Tai Chi Chuan program and the remaining 15 constituted the control group. Prior to study participation, the pulmonary function of all enrolled children was assessed at rest, after exercise, and after exercise plus iced water. A 3-day symptoms questionnaire was also completed and a score obtained after each pulmonary function test. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups in baseline pulmonary function and severity of asthmatic symptoms before study commencement, at rest, after exercise, or after exercise plus iced water. However, after the 12-week program, children in the Tai Chi Chuan group had a significant improvement in pulmonary function compared to the control group. Although there were no significant differences in post-training symptom scores at rest and after exercise between the two groups, under the stronger challenge of exercise plus iced water, children in the Tai Chi Chuan group had milder symptoms than those in the control group. CONCLUSION: Our data show that Tai Chi Chuan can improve the pulmonary function of asthmatic children. However, long-term follow-up is required to determine the impact of Tai Chi Chuan on the severity of asthmatic symptoms. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/tai-chi-chuan-can-improve-pulmonary-function-asthmatic-children#comments Asthma: Childhood Tai Chi Human Study Thu, 14 Jan 2010 23:22:42 +0000 greenmedinfo 49200 at https://greenmedinfo.com Tai-Chi-Chuan could improve the pulmonary function and decrease airway inflammation in both children with mild asthma and those without asthma. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/tai-chi-chuan-could-improve-pulmonary-function-and-decrease-airway-inflammatio PMID:  Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017 ;2017:6287642. Epub 2017 Apr 13. PMID: 28491110 Abstract Title:  Tai-Chi-Chuan Exercise Improves Pulmonary Function and Decreases Exhaled Nitric Oxide Level in Both Asthmatic and Nonasthmatic Children and Improves Quality of Life in Children with Asthma. Abstract:  Tai-Chi-Chuan (TCC) is an exercise of low-to-moderate intensity which is suitable for asthmatic patients. The aim of our study is to investigate improvements of the lung function, airway inflammation, and quality of life of asthmatic children after TCC. Participants included sixty-one elementary school students and they were divided into asthmatic (n = 29) and nonasthmatic (n = 32) groups by the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire. Among them, 20 asthmatic and 18 nonasthmatic children volunteered to participate in a 60-minute TCC exercise weekly for 12 weeks. Baseline and postintervention assessments included forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) level, and Standardised Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ(S)). After intervention, the level of FeNO decreased significantly; PEFR and the FEV1/FVC also improved significantly in both asthmatic group and nonasthmatic group after TCC. The asthmatic children also had improved quality of life after TCC. The results indicated that TCC could improve the pulmonary function and decrease airway inflammation in both children with mild asthma and those without asthma. It also improves quality of life in mild asthmatic children. Nevertheless, further studies are required to determine the effect of TCC on children with moderate-to-severe asthma. <p><a href="https://greenmedinfo.com/article/tai-chi-chuan-could-improve-pulmonary-function-and-decrease-airway-inflammatio" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://greenmedinfo.com/article/tai-chi-chuan-could-improve-pulmonary-function-and-decrease-airway-inflammatio#comments Asthma Asthma: Childhood Tai Chi Human Study Wed, 14 Jun 2017 00:18:20 +0000 greenmedinfo 149101 at https://greenmedinfo.com This study suggested a positive association between DEHP and BBzP exposure and childhood asthma. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/study-suggested-positive-association-between-dehp-and-bbzp-exposure-and-childh PMID:  Environ Pollut. 2017 Jul 7 ;229:655-660. Epub 2017 Jul 7. PMID: 28692937 Abstract Title:  Phthalate esters and childhood asthma: A systematic review and congener-specific meta-analysis. Abstract:  INTRODUCTION: Exposure to phthalate esters (PAEs) has been associated with childhood asthma, but the congener-specific effects of PAEs on childhood asthma were unclear. We aimed to systematically review and meta-analyze observational studies on the associations between specific effects of PAEs and the risk of childhood asthma.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Relevant studies were identified by searching three databases up to October 20, 2016. The reference lists of the retrieved articles were also reviewed. We included observational studies that reported risk estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations between phthalate exposure and the risk of childhood asthma. Fixed-effects models were generally applied to calculate pooled risk estimates. When heterogeneity was present, random-effects models were applied.RESULTS: A total of nine studies featuring 43 data points were included in our final meta-analyses. Results indicated that the benzyl butyl phthalate (BBzP) exposure had a significant association with the risk of childhood asthma. The Odd Ratios (ORs) were from 1.39 to 1.41 for different combination strategies. Subgroup analyses by different exposure period or samples used showed that prenatal exposure to BBzP had a stronger association with the risk of childhood asthma (OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.09-1.75), compared to those with postnatal exposure. Besides, the association was evident when the phthalate exposure was measured from dust samples. The OR for the associations between di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) in dust and childhood asthma was 2.71 (95% CI = 1.39-5.28), and 2.08 (95% CI = 1.10-3.92) for BBzP.CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggested a positive association between DEHP and BBzP exposure and childhood asthma. Future studies are warranted to identify the underlying mechanisms of the association. <p><a href="https://greenmedinfo.com/article/study-suggested-positive-association-between-dehp-and-bbzp-exposure-and-childh" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://greenmedinfo.com/article/study-suggested-positive-association-between-dehp-and-bbzp-exposure-and-childh#comments Asthma: Childhood Phthalate Toxicity Phthalates Increased Risk Meta Analysis Review Mon, 17 Jul 2017 15:55:32 +0000 greenmedinfo 150525 at https://greenmedinfo.com