Causes of Asthma in Children

If you have read my previous post (What are the Causes of Asthma?), you must notice from my post that the underlying causes of asthma are still not fully understood. However, recent researches have shown that environmental and genetic factors and several triggers are associated for developing asthma.

You need to know that this chronic airway disease can begin at any age, but most often starts in childhood. In most cases, symptoms of childhood asthma arise around the age five. Although, the causes of asthma in children aren’t dissimilar as compared with adults, but children face unique challenges.

Possible Causes for Increasing Asthma in Children

Today, more than 10% -12% of children in the U.S. are developing childhood asthma and this percentage is gradually increasing for unknown reasons. Though, it is not evident, but the “Hygiene Hypothesis Theory” provides some explanations for the dramatic increase of the percentage. According to the theory, over the past 20 years, the western lifestyle has changed rapidly, and the living condition has become more hygienic and sanitized. The use of antibiotics, vaccines and cleanlier lifestyle has created a germ free environment, which eventually preventing the spreading of disease and infections. As a result, most of the young children are not exposed to the disease and infections as children exposed in the past. So, the immune systems of these children are not getting the early “Kick Start” to fight against bacteria or viral infections. Accordingly, the theory suggesting increased sensitivity and overreaction of the immune system when facing allergens or airborne irritants. Thought, the theory is not proved yet, but many researchers believe that this can be one of the major reasons for increasing atopic conditions or asthma.

Factors and Triggers

Nowadays, researchers have identified several key factors and triggers for developing childhood asthma. A family history of asthma or other atopic conditions, low birth weight, premature birth, exposure to tobacco smoke, respiratory distress syndrome at birth, and frequent respiratory infections are all considered as the key factors for developing childhood asthma.

More details about the causes of asthma are described in my previous posts. Please read the following posts, if you want to know more about asthma affects, factors and triggers.

You might also like:
What is Asthma?
What are the Causes of Asthma?
How Asthma Affects the Body?