‘Preterm birth associated with increased risk of asthma’

LUCKNOW: Children who are born preterm have an increased risk of asthma, say health experts.

“The adverse impact of cesarean delivery is directly on the lungs, an organ that keeps developing till the last hour of birth and starts working from the first cry of the child – the moment air enters this organ,” said Dr Ved Prakash, senior faculty pulmonary and critical care medicine at the KGMU, at a press conference to mark World Asthma Day.

“Studies have established the risk of paediatric asthma with pre-mature and cesarean deliveries,” he said.

In case of premature delivery, the growth of the child’s lungs remains incomplete. Though doctors prescribe steroids for speedy development of the organ, but still a gap remains and hence the risk of asthma is high, he explained.

Dr Rajendra Prasad, vicechairman of the national task, revised national tuberculosis control programme said doctors advising pre-mature delivery and parents opting for cesarean delivery should think twice.

The prevalence of asthma is approximately 300 million cases all over the world and India alone has 10% of it (30 million asthma patients). There are 50 lakh patients of asthma in UP alone, said Prof Surya Kant, HoD, pulmonary medicine at the King George’s Medical University in a press statement.

Experts said there’s increased prevalence of allergic respiratory disorders in the world. Though largely avoidable, asthma tends to occur in epidemics and affects young people. The human and economic burden associated with this condition is severe, they added.

“A study done at King George’s Medical University in collaboration with Lucknow University concluded that 30 minutes’ regular practice of yoga with standard medical treatment improves the quality of asthma patients’ life, increases level of antioxidants, improves functions of the lungs and reduces the dose of inhaled medication. This research work has been awarded with Charl’s Richet Prize by Indian College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology,” said Prof Surya Kant.

According to Global Initiative of Asthma (GINA), asthma is uncontrolled in 40% patients and partially controlled in 60% patients. The reason: Patients don’t take inhalers properly. Patients are advised to take inhaled medication regularly, but only 30% patients take this kind of medication while 70% take oral medication.