Variações climáticas e uso de serviços de saúde em crianças asmáticas menores de cinco anos de idade: um estudo ecológico

Abstract

Objective: To study variations in climate (dry or rainy periods) and health services use for the treatment of asthma in children under five years of age. Methods: An ecological study was conducted and involved analysis of the medical charts of all children under the age of five that were diagnosed with asthma and treated in the Municipal Emergency Room of the city of Cuiabá, located in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. In accordance with the geographic location of Cuiabá, two climatic periods were identified: a dry season (from May to October) and a rainy season (from November to April). Results: The percentage of children treated that were diagnosed with asthma was 12.2% (3140/ 25,802), with no gender-based difference. Children from 3 to 5 years of age were most often affected. The overall asthma hospitalization rate was 1.3% (336/25,802), rising to 10.7% (336/3140) among the asthmatic children treated in the emergency room. In the rainy season, the percentage of outpatients seeking treatment for asthma was higher than in the dry season: 39.1% (1228/3140) versus 60. 9% (1912/3140). However, during the dry season, a greater proportion of such patients were hospitalized: 52.3% (176/336) versus 47.7% (160/336). These differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The dry season, which was correlated with higher asthma hospitalization rates, seems to be related to more severe cases of asthma in children under five years of age. Climate variations and health services use for the treatment of asthmatic children under five years of age: an ecological study 493

Evaluation of hospitalization of children aged 0 to 5 years admitted for respiratory infections at a large hospital

“…As to seasons, contrary to what was expected, it was interesting to analyze the results, because it was found that, in emergency cases, there was a greater frequency of visits for bronchitis during fall/summer combined, the rainy season, in which the frequency was higher than in the dry season. The highest rate of lower respiratory tract infections in the emergency room found in the rainy season was possibly related to the excess moisture in the living environment of the child, due to heavy and constant rains, and the results could range from a simple cold to a more severe ARI (11) . In addition, children spend more time indoors and in contact with allergenic substances, which are more numerous in this period, due to a greater growth of fungi related to excessive moisture (12) .…”

Effects of the pulmonary rehabilitation program on the quality of life of asthmatic children and their parents

“…Although the assessments occurred in the month of October (springtime), exceptionally in the city of Belo Horizonte, at this time of the year, there was a sudden decrease in the temperature, with temperatures close to 17ºC, according to the National Meteorology Service. 20 According to Saldanha et al, 21 the influence of weather changes, particularly sudden decreases in temperature, are associated with a higher dispersion of aeroallergens. In this situation, asthma crises are more frequently observed.…”

Prevalência De Asma Em Escolares Da Rede Pública De Ensino No Município De Uruguaiana/Rs

“…Os fatores ambientais que atuam sobre a asma, aumentando as suas taxas de morbidade e gravidade mais importantes são os poluentes no ar atmosférico, tanto externo quanto interno, e as condições meteorológicas do local, como a temperatura, a umidade relativa do ar e a velocidade dos ventos, que podem aumentar a duração da exposição aos poluentes e impedir sua dissipação 26,27 . O município de Uruguaiana não apresenta estas características industriais semelhantes às cidades de maior índice na prevalência de asma, muito embora apresente grandes alterações climáticas e amplitude térmica durante suas estações ou até mesmo no período de 24 horas, o que poderia aumentar a incidência de asma.…”