RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS AND FRACTIONAL EXHALED NITRIC OXIDE IN SIXTH-SEVENTH GRADE CHILDREN IN HO CHI MINH CITY EXPOSED TO AIR POLLUTION

Nhật Quỳnh Nguyễn , Lệ Linh Trần , Hoàng Thùy Dung Phan , Thị Hoài Thương Đỗ , Trung Sơn Huỳnh , Huỳnh Thị Cẩm Hồng Lê , Ngọc Đăng Trần , Như Vinh Nguyễn , Phương Thảo Mai , Phương Thảo Mai , Lê An Phạm

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Abstract

Air pollution has been demonstrated to be associated with various health issues and mortality worldwide, including significant short-term and long-term risks to respiratory health, especially concerning for children. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of air pollution on respiratory health by investigating respiratory symptoms and respiratory inflammation indicated by fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels. This cross-sectional descriptive study involved 170 grade 6-7 children from two secondary schools in two districts of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), from December 2022 to January 2023. The results showed that out of the 170 participating children, the most common complaints were sneezing/nasal congestion and runny nose (85,9%), followed by coughing (34,7%). In the past three months, 65,5% of the children experienced sneezing/nasal congestion and runny nose, and 39% had coughing. The average PM2.5 concentration over the three months, measured both outside and inside the school, was 47,8 and 39,4 (ppm) respectively, both higher than the WHO standard of 25 ppm. The average FeNO level recorded was 7,9 ± 8,7 ppb, with 8% of the children having FeNO levels categorized as medium-high. FeNO levels were significantly higher in the group of children with a history of asthma compared to those without asthma (p=0,04). No significant correlations were found between FeNO levels and gender, place of residence, smoking, respiratory symptoms, and PM2.5 concentration. Therefore, the impact of air quality on respiratory health needs to be addressed, and measures to reduce the impact of pulmonary exposure to pollutants in children should be implemented.

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References

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