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Study: Recent trends in upper respiratory infections, ear infections and asthma among children
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The prevalence of asthma, one of the most common chronic conditions in childhood, has declined among Canadian children aged 2 to 7 to its lowest level in more than a decade.
The prevalence of upper respiratory infections among children aged 2 to 3 has remained constant or declined in most regions, although it has risen significantly in Quebec. Ear infections have declined significantly in all regions.
One factor that may have contributed to the decreased prevalence of asthma and ear infections among young children is reduced exposure to cigarette smoke.
Daily smoking among people aged 15 or older declined steadily between 2000 and 2008. At the same time, the percentage of children regularly exposed to tobacco smoke at home decreased. There has also been a decline in the percentage of children aged 2 to 3 who live in households in which at least one parent is a daily smoker.
Asthma
Between 1994/1995 and 2000/2001, the percentage of children aged 2 to 7 diagnosed with asthma rose from 11% to 13%. However, new data from the National Longitudinal Survey on Children and Youth (NLSCY) show that by 2008/2009, this figure had declined to 10%.
The upturn in asthma prevalence to 2000/2001 and the subsequent decrease occurred in all age groups.
Throughout the 14 years, a significantly higher percentage of boys than girls had been diagnosed with asthma, but among both sexes, asthma prevalence followed the general trend.
Previous studies have reported regional variations in the prevalence of childhood asthma, with British Columbia and the Prairie provinces having lower rates than other regions. However, this pattern has changed markedly.
Since 2000/2001, the percentage of children aged 2 to 7 with asthma fell in the Atlantic provinces, Quebec and Ontario, but remained relatively stable in British Columbia and the Prairies. As a result, in 2006/2007 and 2008/2009, no significant regional differences in the prevalence of asthma emerged.
Upper respiratory infections
Upper respiratory infections, including the common cold, are frequent among children, with three to eight infections a year typical.
In 1994/1995, 26% of Canadian children aged 2 to 3 were reported by their parents as having frequent upper respiratory infections. This percentage remained almost stable over the next 14 years: in 2008/2009, it was 23%.
The prevalence of frequent upper respiratory infections among children aged 2 to 3 was highest in Quebec during the 14 years.
Note to readers
This release is based on an article in Health Reports that examines trends from 1994/1995 to 2008/2009 in the prevalence of upper respiratory infections and otitis media among children aged 2 to 3, and in the prevalence of asthma among children aged 2 to 7.
Data came from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth, which has been conducted every two years since 1994/1995. The information was provided by the person most knowledgeable about the child.
Over this period, the prevalence of frequent upper respiratory infections fell in all regions except Quebec, where the percentage rose from 28% to 39%.
Ear infections
Otitis media (middle-ear infection or inflammation) is also common in childhood. In 1994/1995, 67% of Canadian children aged 2 to 3 had had at least one ear infection since birth. About 26% had had frequent ear infections, that is, four or more.
By 2008/2009, the percentage of children aged 2 to 3 who had had at least one ear infection had fallen to 50%, and the percentage who had had four or more had fallen to 13%. Boys were more likely than girls to have had ear infections.
Children in the Atlantic provinces and Quebec tended to have high ear infection rates, while in British Columbia, rates tended to be low. In all regions except Quebec, the prevalence of ear infections has fallen since 1994/1995. In Quebec, prevalence has fallen since 2000/2001.
Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 4450.
The article, "Recent trends in upper respiratory infections, ear infections and asthma among young Canadian children," which is part of today's Health Reports, Vol. 21, no. 4 (82-003-X, free) online release, is now available from the Key resource module of our website under Publications.
The National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY) is conducted by Statistics Canada in partnership with Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. For more information about this article, or to enquire about the NLSCY or about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Client Services (613-951-3321; ssd@statcan.gc.ca), Special Surveys Division. Data collected in the eighth cycle of the NLSCY were released on November 10, 2010.
Today's online release of Health Reports also includes the article "Asthma and school functioning." This article, also based on data from the NLSCY, examined the impact of asthma on the school performance of children aged 7 to 15. Compared with children who did not have a chronic condition, those with asthma scored lower on standardized math and reading tests and had less favourable mother-reported school performance. Those with the most severe asthma had the poorest outcomes. For more information, contact Dafna Kohen (613-951-3346; dafna.kohen@statcan.gc.ca), Health Analysis Division.
For more information about Health Reports, contact Janice Felman (613-951-6446; janice.felman@statcan.gc.ca), Health Analysis Division.
