Hoarseness Among Young Children in Day-Care Centers

BackgroundChronic respiratory symptoms among toddlers are assumed to be due to allergies and common respiratory infections. Because symptoms and respiratory disease in this age group often continue on to school age and later life, it is important to know the possible risk factors for prevention of the chronic hoarseness.AimWe aimed to determine the current prevalence of hoarseness and other chronic respiratory symptoms among toddlers and young children. Another aim was to examine the risk factors for hoarseness in the building environments of day-care centers (DCC).MaterialAn electronic symptom survey was sent to all parents of children in day-care centers of a large city in southern Finland. In all, 3721 individuals completed the questionnaire (38%), 53.4% were the parents of boys and 46.6% girls.ResultsThe prevalence of hoarseness was 5.6%. The boy's parents reported hoarseness more often than the girls, but no significant difference was observed. Risk factors for hoarseness in a built environment in this age group were noise, visible dust and dirt, mold and a cellar like odor, a sewer smell, other unpleasant smells, stuffiness of the indoor air, a too high or too low temperatures, a cold floor, insufficient ventilation, the age of the DCC building, and wood as the bearing construction of the building. The lifestyle factors that correlated with the prevalence of hoarseness were the amount of time spent outdoors; however, passive smoking, the number of siblings and pets at home did not correlate with hoarseness. Hoarseness was significantly correlated with other chronic respiratory symptoms such as rhinitis, coughs, eye irritation, tiredness, headaches, and stomach problems and also with the regular or periodic use of medication. Hoarseness was also significantly correlated with asthma and allergic rhinitis and also with repeated infections, such as a common cold, cold with a fever, laryngitis, otitis media and acute bronchitis, but not with tonsillitis or pneumonia.When potential confounders had been controlled for with a logistic regression model, the following risk factors in the built environment remained statistically significant: noise, high room temperature, insufficient ventilation and the stuffiness of the indoor air, a solvent odor, wood as the bearing construction and the age of the building.ConclusionsWe conclude that in day-care centers, buildings should be maintained, cleaned and ventilated properly. Concrete and brick used in the construction were protective compared with wood. The acoustic environment should be planned to reduce noise indoors and solvent based chemicals should be avoided. Neither having pets at home or the number of siblings were risk factors, but they were also not found to be protective in this material. All measures that reduce the occurrence of respiratory infections probably also reduce chronic voice problems.</p

Asthma, allergies and respiratory symptoms in different activity groups of swimmers exercising in swimming halls

Background Respiratory symptoms are common in competitive swimmers. However, among these and in swimmers at other activity levels the swimming distance, the total spent time in swimming halls and their medical background varies. Our objectives were, first, to assess their medical histories and the associations with respiratory symptoms among swimmers in different activity groups and then second, to study the pulmonary function findings and related medications in competitive swimmers who exercise in swimming hall environments the most. Methods First, 1118 participants consisting of 133 competitive-, 734 fitness- and 251 occasional swimmers answered questionnaires concerning their medical background, their respiratory symptoms in connection to swimming distance and their amount of time spent in swimming halls. Secondly, in 130 competitive swimmers, pulmonary function was tested by spirometry and a specific questionnaire was used to assess respiratory symptoms, medical histories and prescribed medication. Results Respiratory symptoms were reported by 18% of the studied swimmers. Competitive swimmers had significantly more symptoms than fitness- and occasional swimmers. Naturally competitive swimmers swum more than 2000 m and stayed by the pool more than 90 min, longer than the other activity groups of swimmers. Spirometry testing showed airway obstruction in 15 swimmers, which was 12% of the 130 competitive swimmers. 21 of them, had physician-diagnosed asthma and 16 of these individuals had prescribed medication for it. Conclusions Competitive swimmers had the highest swimming hall exposure and reported significantly more respiratory symptoms. A high prevalence of airway obstruction findings in competitive swimmers with asthma and allergies suggests a need for future recommendations for regular testing and special medical care for competitive swimmers.Peer reviewe

Asthma, allergies and respiratory symptoms in different activity groups of swimmers exercising in swimming halls

Background: Respiratory symptoms are common in competitive swimmers. However, among these and in swimmers at other activity levels the swimming distance, the total spent time in swimming halls and their medical background varies. Our objectives were, first, to assess their medical histories and the associations with respiratory symptoms among swimmers in different activity groups and then second, to study the pulmonary function findings and related medications in competitive swimmers who exercise in swimming hall environments the most. Methods: First, 1118 participants consisting of 133 competitive-, 734 fitness- and 251 occasional swimmers answered questionnaires concerning their medical background, their respiratory symptoms in connection to swimming distance and their amount of time spent in swimming halls. Secondly, in 130 competitive swimmers, pulmonary function was tested by spirometry and a specific questionnaire was used to assess respiratory symptoms, medical histories and prescribed medication. Results: Respiratory symptoms were reported by 18% of the studied swimmers. Competitive swimmers had significantly more symptoms than fitness- and occasional swimmers. Naturally competitive swimmers swum more than 2000 m and stayed by the pool more than 90 min, longer than the other activity groups of swimmers. Spirometry testing showed airway obstruction in 15 swimmers, which was 12% of the 130 competitive swimmers. 21 of them, had physician-diagnosed asthma and 16 of these individuals had prescribed medication for it. Conclusions: Competitive swimmers had the highest swimming hall exposure and reported significantly more respiratory symptoms. A high prevalence of airway obstruction findings in competitive swimmers with asthma and allergies suggests a need for future recommendations for regular testing and special medical care for competitive swimmers.</p