Risk Factors for Asthma

All of the following populations are at increased risk for developing asthma EXCEPT:
A) Obese children.
B) Female children.
C) Children exposed to tobacco.
D) Children with atopy.
E) City children.

Answer And Discussion



The correct answer is “B.”

Male children have a greater prevalence of asthma. Interestingly, adult women “catch up” so that there is gender equity in young adulthood, and after age 40, the prevalence is higher in females. Of note, frequent respiratory infections seem to be protective. There is an inverse association between children living on farms and asthma incidence