| Study in Pediatrics: "The Bedding Environment, Sleep Position, and Frequent Wheeze in Childhood" by Ponsonby et al. |
Ponsonby A-L, Dwyer T, Trevillian L, Kemp A, Cochrane J, Couper D, Carmichael A. 2004.
The Bedding Environment, Sleep Position, and Frequent Wheeze in Childhood. Pediatrics, 113 (5): pp. 1216-1222.
Since previous studies showed statistically significant relationships between synthetic quilt use and increased childhood wheeze, a symptom associated with asthma, this study investigated whether the effect varied by sleep position (supine = on one's back, versus non-supine = on a side or on one's stomach). This was a population-based cross-sectional study of 6378 of 6911 eligible seven year-old children in Tasmania, Australia in 1995. They used the ISAAC questionnaire, which was administered to parents, and also measured lung function (FEV1) in a subset of children (n=414) from randomly selected primary schools. Frequent wheeze was defined as reporting 12 or more episodes in the past year.
About 42% of the study population reported using synthetic quilts, about 38% reported children slept supine on average (48% non-supine), and only about 2% of study children reported frequent wheezing (compared to about 77% with no wheeze episodes). Statistically significant increased odds of frequent wheeze were associated with using synthetic quilts, overall and among only supine sleepers, and with using synthetic pillows or electric blankets (usually made of synthetic materials). Compared to sleeping supine with a feather quilt, which typically has lower levels of house dust mite allergen, statistically significant increased odds of frequent wheeze were associated with synthetic quilts across sleep positions, though the odds ratio was relatively higher if sleeping supine. The measured decreases in FEV1 after an exercise challenge were significant for supine sleepers using synthetic quilts compared to children with no reported wheeze episodes.
Overall, these data suggest sleeping positions that bring a child's nose and mouth closer to synthetic bedding such as quilts, which have been shown to contain higher levels of allergens like house dust mite, may lead to increased wheezing and other symptoms associated with asthma. Therefore, potential home interventions, including replacement of synthetic bedding or application of non-allergenic covers and pillowcases, can help. |
| |
| Date posted: 06-08-2004 |
| Posted by: Community Action to Fight Asthma |
<< Back to resource list |
|
Printer Friendly 
