Children with asthma have a higher risk of developing behavioural, emotional and developmental problems. American researchers from the University of Virginia Children's Hospital in Charlottesville, used data from a national health survey, of 102,353 randomly selected U.S. children upto 17 years of age, interviewing their parents. Nine percent children were found to be having asthma. Twelve percent children with asthma had ADHD versus 6 percent of children without asthma. The corresponding rates of depression/anxiety were 9 percent and 4 percent; 11 percent and 5 percent for behavioural and conduct problems; and 15 percent and 9 percent for learning disabilities. Children with asthma were more likely to be diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, anxiety and learning disabilities. Severe asthma increased the risk further, as did living in a disadvantaged social or economic environment. Compared with children whose parents described their asthma as mild, those with severe asthma were three to four times more likely to have ADHD, depression or any behavioral or learning disorder. In this study, parents of severely asthmatic children were more concerned whether their child was being bullied. The physical effects of asthma, or the medications used to treat it, could contribute to depression, difficulty in concentrating or other problems. On the other hand, children with additional challenges, like ADHD or learning disabilities, may have a tougher time sticking with their asthma treatment plan - thereby worsening their asthma. Parents should be aware that good asthma management takes more than just medication. Physical health, psychological well-being and school performance are all connected, so their management should be looked at as a total package.
Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics,
April 2007