Examining the association between childhood asthma and parent and grandparent asthma status: implications for practice

Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2010 Jun;49(6):535-41. doi: 10.1177/0009922809356465.

Abstract

Examination of intergenerational asthma beyond maternal asthma has been limited. The association between childhood asthma and intergenerational asthma status among a national cohort of children was examined. The genealogical sample (2552 children) participating in the Child Development Supplement of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics was studied. Multivariate regression was used to determine intergenerational asthma. Children with a parent with asthma were almost twice as likely (odds ratio [OR] = 1.96) to have asthma compared with those without a parent with asthma. Children with a parent and grandparent with asthma were more than 4 times more likely to have asthma compared with those without a parent and grandparent with asthma (OR = 4.27). Children with a grandparent with asthma were more likely to have asthma (OR = 1.52). A family history of asthma was a significant predictor of physician diagnosed asthma in children regardless of race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status. Findings support the collection of family history, including grandparent asthma status.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Distribution
  • Age of Onset
  • Asthma / diagnosis*
  • Asthma / epidemiology*
  • Asthma / genetics
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cohort Studies
  • Environmental Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Family Relations
  • Female
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Intergenerational Relations*
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Medical History Taking
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Parents
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Sex Distribution
  • Social Class
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Young Adult