Aim: To investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors that influence wheezing and asthma in children and adolescents. Methods: A total of 135 male children and adolescents were selected from various schools. Information about family history, dietary pattern, respiratory symptoms and environmental risk factors were obtained using questionnaire survey. Results: The prevalence of wheezing in the past 12 months was 31.85%. The prevalence of asthma was 2.2%. Conclusion: Consumption of fast food, overweight and obesity and exposure to traffic fumes were observed to be important risk factors with increased risk among the children. The impact of environmental factors such as air pollution must be quantitatively established with exposure assessments supplemented with questionnaire surveys to reduce the burden of disease. This study provides a cross-sectional outlook on modifiable risk factors that can be targeted to reduce the impact of asthma and wheezing in children.

Aim:To explore the potential relationship between exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and asthma exacerbation among children and also to explore the potential exposure sources of PAHs at the household level. Methods: Case-control study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Chennai among 60 participants after obtaining approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee. The study was conducted from March till May 2018. Informed consent was obtained from the participants. The participants were included based on their clinical diagnosis of asthma and few participants were as used as control based on no documented history of wheeze and PEFR levels. All the participants were male children aged between 9-12 years and exclusion was done if they were reported to having congenital heart disease, surgery or chronic lung disease. They were interviewed with a standardized questionnaire to ascertain their exposure to PAHs sources. Urinary 1-OHP levels were analyzed using HPLC to determine their exposure. Results: Participants with asthma showed a higher concentration of 1-OHP (7.56µg/g) in their urine. Second hand exposure to tobacco smoke, consumption of charred or grilled foods, use of indoor air pollutants and exposure to traffic fumes were identified as contributive factors to elevated 1-OHP levels. Conclusion: Exposure sources at household levels may play a major role in exacerbating asthma. Significant PAHs exposure was contributed through dietary habits. Further exposure monitoring studies are needed to quantify the impact of PAH exposure on respiratory health.