How Common Is Asthma in Children?
Asthma is the leading cause of chronic illness in children. It affects about 7 million children in the United States and, for unknown reasons, is steadily increasing. Asthma can begin at any age (even in the very elderly), but most children have their first symptoms by age 5.
There are many risk factors for developing childhood asthma. These include:
• Nasal allergies (hay fever) or eczema (allergic skin rash)
• A family history of asthma or allergies
• Frequent respiratory infections
• Low birth weight
• Exposure to tobacco smoke before or after birth
• Black or Puerto-Rican ethnicity
• Being raised in a low-income environment