Childhood asthma and indoor allergens in

Native AmericanS in New York

Simona Surdu 1, Lupita D. Montoya 2, Alice Tarbell 3, David O.Carpenter 2

1 Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health , University at Albany , SUNY
2 Institute for Health and the Environment, University at Albany , SUNY
3 Akwesasne Task Force on the Environment, Hogansburg NY

Background. The Mohawk Tribe at Akwesasne is a Native American nation located in northern NYS, adjacent to several sources of industrial pollution, including a National Priority Superfund Site and two State Superfund Sites. According to NYS Department of Health, between 2000-2002 the asthma hospitalization discharge rate per 10,000 population was higher in Akwesasne area (21.4) as compared to Franklin County (13.3) and NYS (excluding NYC) (18.1) for children aged 0-14 years. The risks for developing asthma are still uncertain, but depend on a complex interaction of hereditary and environmental factors.

Objective. This study aimed to assess the correlation between childhood asthma and potential risk factors, especially exposure to indoor allergens, in a Native American population.

Study design and settings. A case-control study was conducted of St. Regis Mohawk tribe children population of about 760 inhabitants less than 14 years. The study population consisted on children 2-14 years old, 25 diagnosed with asthma and 25 controls. Exposure was assessed based on a personal interview and measurement of mite and cat allergens (Der p 1, Fel d 1) in indoor dust.

Results. A non-significant increased risk of childhood asthma was associated with self-reported family history of asthma, childhood environmental tobacco smoke exposure, and air pollution. The findings are consistent with evidence that premature children are at increased risk of asthma, the risk being non-significantly two fold higher for the subjects born before due date. There was a significant protective effect of breastfeeding against asthma in children less than 14 years (5.2 fold lower risk). About 80% of dust mite and 15% of cat allergen samples were above the threshold values for sensitization of 2 and 1 µg/g, respectively. While the dust mite and cat allergen levels were higher in the samples collected from households of children with current asthma, the results of risk estimates were positive but not significant due to the small sample size.

Conclusion. This research has identified several potential indoor and outdoor risk factors for asthma in Mohawks homes, of which avoidance may reduce or delay the development of asthma in susceptible individuals.

Keywords: asthma, children, Mohawk Americans, indoor allergens.

Corresponding Author:

Simona Surdu , MD , MS, PhD student
University at Albany
One University Place , A217
Rensselaer NY 12144
Tel: 518-525-2660
Fax: 518-525-2665
Email: surdu@albany.edu