Environmental hazards and demographic and clinical data of childhood interstitial lung diseases in a tertiary institute in Egypt

• Main Authors: Sally Raafat Ishak, Azza Mohammed Hassan, Terez Boshra Kamel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SpringerOpen 2021-01-01
• Series: The Egyptian Journal of Bronchology
• Subjects: Childhood interstitial lung disease; Birds; Egypt; Environmental factors
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s43168-020-00048-5
• ISSN: 1687-8426; 2314-8551

Abstract Background There incidence of childhood interstitial lung diseases increased in the last years in Egypt. Changes in environmental and climatic conditions may be contributing factors. Also, raising birds at home increased in the past years due to financial issues. Other environmental factors include increased industries, traffic, and pollution. Our study aimed to assess the environmental hazards and the severity of childhood interstitial lung diseases. Results Sixty-five percent of patients with childhood interstitial lung diseases (chILD) were exposed to cigarette smoke; 45% were exposed to birds, 30% to industrial wastes, 20% to grass and pesticides, and 10% to animals. Conclusions Exposure to cigarette smoke and birds increases the risk of development of chILD.