Birth records of 30 children with asthma and two groups of 30 matched controls were reviewed to find the incidence of antepartum, labor and delivery, and postpartum complications. Since early experiences of life have been shown to affect later behavioral patterns and biological characteristics, we anticipated that asthmatic children would have a greater incidence of perinatal complications than nonasthmatic children. The results indicated that there was a significant difference between the number of asthmatic children with a history of complications and the number of nonasthmatic control children with complications. These findings indicate that the study of predisposing factors of asthma, both biological and psychological, must include the perinatal history of the children being studied. Complications during pregnancy and birth may well contribute to a predisposition of respiratory symptoms of asthma under conditions of stress.The cause of asthma has been de¬ bated by allergists, psychologists, and psychiatrists. The high incidence of family history argues for a genetic factor. Other physiological predis¬ posing factors are anatomical changes in the respiratory system, neuroendocrine disorders, and hypersensitivity to certain allergens as demonstrated by a significant re¬ sponse to the histamine challenge test and skin test.12 On the other hand, certain psychological findings, such as the history of faulty family interaction patterns, a personality constellation that stresses depen¬ dency needs, and anxiety in both the asthmatic patient and his mother are
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