RISK OF ASTHMA IN CHILDREN WITH A HISTORY OF CROUP

All fourth-grade school children in Munich and the surrounding distric ts (age 9-11 years, n = 9403) were surveyed with a questionnaire, lung function testing and bronchial provocation. Group was reported in 9.8 %. In these children, lung function was decreased even after controlli ng for asthma and other confounding factors. Only recurrent croup had an increased prevalence in children with asthma. When a family history for asthma, maternal smoking and social status were included into a l ogistic multiple regression model, the odds ratio to develop asthma wa s 2.91 (confidence interval (CI) 2.19-3.86) for children with a histor y of croup, 2.60 (CI 1.93-3.51) for a family history for asthma and 8. 60 (CI 4.99-14.80) for the combination of family history and croup. As thma was diagnosed in 37.3% of children with croup and a positive fami ly history.