Moving house: a risk factor for the development of childhood asthma?
BMJ 1995; 311 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.311.7012.1069 (Published 21 October 1995) Cite this as: BMJ 1995;311:1069
- C H Hughes, general practitionera,
- J H Baumer, consultant paediatricianb
- aHealth Centre, Estover, Plymouth PL6 8UE
- bDepartment of Child Health, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth PL6 8DH
- Correspondence to: Dr Hughes
- Accepted 7 July 1995
Following the observation that asthma was commonly seen in children who had previously moved house we undertook a case control study to investigate the timing of house moves, taking account of other factors known to be associated with childhood asthma. A Medline search failed to identify any studies reporting house moves as a risk factor for childhood asthma.
Subjects, methods, and results
We carried out the study in a single, computerised practice serving a suburban population with modern housing. All children between their 4th and 16th birthdays receiving treatment for asthma in the year to February 1994 were identified from computerised prescription records.
The study subjects were 44 children treated for asthma. One control child without atopy, matched for sex and age, was randomly selected from the practice register …