Pattern And Trigger Factors Of Asthma Exacerbation In Children Seen At Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.

Background: Asthma exacerbation can be fatal. It is common and more severe when asthma is uncontrolled but can also occur in patients taking asthma treatment. Knowledge about trigger factors will assist clinicians and parents to adequately manage the condition. Aim: To determine the pattern and trigger factors of acute exacerbation of asthma in children presenting to Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, Nigeria. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study of children with asthma exacerbation presenting to the Pulmonology clinic and Emergency Paediatric Unit of UDUTH, Sokoto over a one year period. Relevant clinical information was documented in a structured questionnaire. Asthma exacerbation severity was determined using the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines. Results:There were 53 presentations with 29(54.7%) being males, giving a M:F ratio of 1.2:1. Mean age was 62.43±40.53 months and 31(58.5%) were aged between 1-5 years. Majority 30(56.6%) presented during the rainy season with 46(86.8%) having an identifiable trigger factor with exposure to cold 27(50.9%) and acute respiratory infection (ARI) 21(39.6%) predominating. Only 25(47.2%) took short acting Beta agonist (SABA) before presentation. Most cases 38(71.7%) had mild exacerbation and majority 45(84.9%) were discharged <12 hours. Male gender was not associated with severity of exacerbation (p=0.811) but associated with hospitalisation beyond 48 hours (p=0.020). All patients were discharged with no mortality recorded. Conclusion: Majority of our patients had mild asthma exacerbation, aged 1-5 years presenting during the rainy season with an identifiable trigger factor. Most of the children stayed for less than 12 hours with no mortality recorded. Knowledge of individual trigger factors can improve allergen avoidance with a resultant good asthma control.