Thunderstorm asthma: a paediatric emergency department experience in London
File(s)
Author(s)
Stewart, Charles G
Mahesh, Ayushi
Mulvenna, Claire
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The aim of this study was to characterise paediatric emergency department presentations during the 2023 thunderstorm asthma (TA) epidemic, characterised by a sudden surge in wheeze presentations, with analysis of environmental factors.
Wheeze presentations totalled 50 (28%) on 12 June and 18 (19%) 13 June. There was no prior asthma in 39 (57%) and no atopic disorders in 30 (44%). There was neither asthma nor atopic disorders in 8 (12%). 44 (65%) were severe or life-threatening. There were no endotracheal intubations and no deaths. High pollen and air pollution warnings were issued.
TA poses a significant, sudden health threat, often in children without asthma. A surge strategy is required.
Wheeze presentations totalled 50 (28%) on 12 June and 18 (19%) 13 June. There was no prior asthma in 39 (57%) and no atopic disorders in 30 (44%). There was neither asthma nor atopic disorders in 8 (12%). 44 (65%) were severe or life-threatening. There were no endotracheal intubations and no deaths. High pollen and air pollution warnings were issued.
TA poses a significant, sudden health threat, often in children without asthma. A surge strategy is required.
Date Issued
2024-05
Date Acceptance
2024-04-13
Citation
BMJ Paediatrics Open, 2024, 8 (1)
ISSN
2399-9772
Publisher
BMJ Publishing Group
Journal / Book Title
BMJ Paediatrics Open
Volume
8
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
This is an open access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited, appropriate credit is given, any changes made indicated, and the use is non-commercial.
This is an open access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited, appropriate credit is given, any changes made indicated, and the use is non-commercial.
License URL
Identifier
https://bmjpaedsopen.bmj.com/content/8/1/e002572
Subjects
Child Health
Health services research
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Pediatrics
Science & Technology
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
e002572
Date Publish Online
2024-05-23