Volume : VIII, Issue : IV, April - 2019

Nutritional Status of Children with Bronchial Asthma

Aparna Balakrishnan. M, Subhashree. S

Abstract :

Asthma is a serious and most common chronic disease that affects health and wellbeing of children. Its effect on the nutritional status and lifestyle of young children is sparse. Hence, this study aimed at assessing the nutritional status and diet habits of children (7 – 12 yrs) with onchial asthma. Methods: 52 children who presented with asthma exacerbation at the Pulmonary OPD in Ernakulam were included. Information on demographic data, family history, asthma symp–toms and triggers, participation in sports and physical activity was collected. Anthropometric and biophysical assessments were done. Dietary intake during and after an asthma attack was collected using a 24 hr diet recall. Pulmonary Function test value which is used to confirm and monitor asthma was also recorded. Results:Most subjects had normal or above normal BMI. PFT value revealed poor asthma control in almost half of the subjects. Sports and physical activity was restricted due to asth–ma. Most subjects inherited asthma from either maternal or paternal grandparents. Skipping of generation was seen with regard to asthma inheritance. Cold, cough and environmental factors were considered as triggers. Food triggers included cold foods, chicken, eggs, shell–fish, pulses, pickles, fried foods, bakery products, banana, chocolates and nuts. Diary and cit–rus fruits were commonly avoided during exacerbation. The intake of nutrients like calorie, iron, and vitamin A was grossly lesser than RDA for most children. A gross reduction in the food intake was observed during an asthma attack among all age groups. Conclusion: The diet lacked variety,was insufficient and unbalanced. There was a further reduction in nutrient intake during an asthma attack. Educating parents and encouraging chil–dren to have sufficient and balanced food during an attack and otherwise is needed to build a healthy diet habit.

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Article: Download PDF   DOI : 10.36106/ijsr  

Cite This Article:

NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF CHILDREN WITH BRONCHIAL ASTHMA, Aparna Balakrishnan. M, Subhashree.S INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH : Volume-8 | Issue-4 | April-2019

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