Pulmonologist flags rise in childhood asthma as smog worsens; suggests prevention tips

With pediatric asthma cases surging during high AQI days, experts highlight how clean air, nutrition, and indoor precautions can protect vulnerable children. (Image: Pexels)

There’s something in the air — and it’s not just the chill of winter, it’s pollution. Across India, particularly in urban pockets, children are breathing in more than just oxygen. They’re inhaling danger. Rising levels of pollution, intensified during festival seasons and traffic-heavy months, are fuelling an asthma epidemic in children. According to respiratory experts, we may already be witnessing the long-term health consequences of our short-term environmental neglect.

Childhood asthma, once considered manageable and relatively rare, is now alarmingly on the rise. The main causes include a mix of vehicular emissions, firecracker smoke, winter smog, and toxic air particles that remain suspended for days. “Children breathe faster and have narrower airways. Their lungs are still developing, which makes them far more vulnerable to polluted air,” explains Dr. Kedar Hibare, Lead Consultant - Clinical & Interventional Pulmonologist, SPARSH Hospital, Bangalore. "We’re seeing a consistent rise in pediatric asthma flare-ups on days when AQI is poor", he said.

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It’s not just postnatal exposure that’s harming young lungs. Doctors are increasingly pointing to evidence that second-hand smoke — especially when pregnant women are exposed — can impair lung development even before birth. “Foetal lungs are extremely sensitive to environmental toxins. Exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy increases the risk of the child developing asthma later,” cautions Dr. Hibare.

Once born, repeated exposure to poor air quality doesn’t just worsen existing asthma — it can actually trigger new-onset disease. “Symptoms like persistent coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath are becoming all too common, particularly during the colder months when air tends to stagnate and pollutants hang heavier,” said Dr. Hibare

There’s no vaccine for asthma, but there is prevention. And it starts at home. Monitoring local AQI levels is a crucial step for parents. “On days when the AQI is high, it’s wise to keep children indoors, especially in the early morning or late evening hours when pollution levels peak,” advises Dr. Hibare. He also urges families to steer clear of smoking indoors and support broader clean air policies.

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Nutritious food, indoor air purifiers, and green spaces can help reduce triggers. Dr. Hibare suggests, “The most effective treatment isn’t found in an inhaler — it’s found in clean air.” As festivals approach and cities gear up for celebration, perhaps it’s time to rethink what we’re lighting — firecrackers or lungs.

FAQs on asthma in children

1. What causes asthma in children?
Asthma in children can be triggered by various factors including pollution, vehicular emissions, smoke from firecrackers, winter smog, and toxic air particles.

2. What are common symptoms of asthma in children?
Common symptoms include persistent coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.

3. How does pollution affect children's asthma?
Children breathe faster and have narrower airways, making their developing lungs more vulnerable to polluted air. Poor air quality can worsen existing asthma and even trigger new-onset disease.

4. Can exposure to smoke during pregnancy affect a child's asthma risk?
Yes, exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy increases the risk of the child developing asthma later as foetal lungs are extremely sensitive to environmental toxins.

5. What preventive measures can parents take to protect their children from asthma?
Parents can monitor local AQI levels, keep children indoors during high pollution times, avoid smoking indoors, provide nutritious food, use indoor air purifiers, and support clean air policies.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for a specific health diagnosis.