Association between unplanned pregnancy and adolescence onset asthma

Abstract

Background: The association between asthma and pregnancy has been documented previously. The relationship between unplanned pregnancy and onset asthma in adolescence has not been studied. Objective: To determine the association between unplanned pregnancy and adolescence onset asthma. Material and methods: Across-sectional study was done gathering information about asthma, unplanned pregnancy, family atopy and active or passive smoking in 3,130 adolescents aged 13-19 years. Asthma diagnosis was established through a self-questionnaire based on the International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood. Odds ratios for asthma were determined using logistic regression model and χ2. Results: Mean age of the participants was 16.37 ± 1.93 years. The prevalence of active smoking was 16.1%, of passive smoking 40% and of family atopy 9.8%. From the pregnant adolescents (785), 59.5% reported had planned not to have a child before pregnancy. Prevalence of wheezing during the year prior to the study was 9.3% and of wheezing during the pregnancy 2%. The prevalence of adolescence onset asthma was 5.4%. The age of initiation of asthma in the adolescence was 14.75 ± 1.60 years. The analysis showed that unplanned pregnancy has a slight risk for the development of asthma during adolescence. (Crude OR=1.03; CI 95% 1.02-1.05; p=0.000). Conclusion: Unplanned pregnancy, family atopy, active smoking and smoking friends are associated with the onset-asthma in the adolescence.