City children with asthma are more likely to have problems with behavior than children without the chronic respiratory problems, according to a University of Rochester Medical Center study in this month's Pediatrics.
Children with the worst asthma symptoms often have more than one behavior issue, such as being nervous and having trouble focusing on tasks. All of these behavior problems can interfere with learning.
"The stress related to having asthma might contribute to behavioral problems because the family's focus on the medical issue may make managing behavior more difficult. Or, on the other hand, behavior problems may make managing asthma symptoms more difficult," said lead author Jill Halterman, M.D., M.P.H., assistant professor at Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong.
Halterman, who conducted her study with the help of the Rochester-based Children's Institute, said that while it is difficult to determine if the asthma or the behavior trouble came first, it is apparent that both must be addressed when treating the child. The Children's Institute is an agency dedicated to developing and promoting effective prevention and early intervention programs, materials and best practices for children, families, schools and communities. Halterman serves as the agency's medical director.