Late Breaking Abstract - Features of asthma course in children during wartime in Ukraine

<bold>Introduction:</bold> War is a significant stressor for children. The conflict severely affects children with chronic respiratory conditions like asthma. War-related factors such as stress, hygiene and polluted enviroments increase the risk of allergic diseases in children and worsen their conditions. Limited and untimely access to medical care further exacerbates these issues. <bold>Objectives:</bold> To investigate the characteristics of asthma in children during wartime in Ukraine. <bold>Methods:</bold> Retrospective data from 118 children (5-17 y.o.) diagnosed with asthma. Children were devided in two groups based on the year of initial diagnosis: Group I (before 24.02.2022, n=72), Group II (after 24.02.2022, n=46). Parameters such as gender, phenotype, onset, severity, asthma control, exacerbations, treatment, comorbidities and sensitization profile were evaluated. <bold>Results:</bold> Group II had a higher average age of asthma onset (10.2±0.7 years) compared to Group I (7.8±0.4 years, p<0.05). Severe asthma cases were more prevalent in Group II (p<0.05). All children in Group II had a higher prevalence of comorbid allergic rhinitis (p<0.05). Sensitization to at least one respiratory allergen increased in Group II. The number of exacerbations more then once a year was higher in the Group II. Parameters such as phenotype and asthma control showed no differences between the two groups. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> The increase of late asthma diagnosis, severe asthma cases, number of exacerbation and comorbid conditions may indicate the negative impact of the war. Limited and untimely access to medical care and the unavailability of medications are directly related to the war period on children in Ukraine. Further research on larger patient cohorts is necessary.