Urban childhood asthma is rising sharply, with many young children now facing frequent breathing issues, sleepless nights, and limited activity. Rather than enjoying playtime, their daily lives and school routines are often disrupted. Experts stress that early awareness and better care at home are crucial. To understand the causes and offer solutions, HT Lifestyle consulted doctors about why asthma is growing and how parents can help manage it effectively.
Dr. Kavita Choudhari, a specialist in allergies and immunotherapy at Surya Hospital in Pune, explained that the asthma rate among Indian children is around 7.9%, but urban centers report much higher figures. In cities like Mumbai, nearly 17% of children are affected. She also highlighted the rising number of allergy cases rhinitis, eczema, and food allergies now affect up to 20% of urban children, indicating a growing environmental health crisis.
According to Dr. Choudhari, both indoor and outdoor triggers play a role. Pollution, especially from traffic and construction, releases PM2.5 particles that harm young lungs. Indoors, allergens like dust mites, mould, cockroaches, and pet dander worsen the symptoms. She added that asthma affects children emotionally too, often causing anxiety, stress, and isolation, making early diagnosis and consistent care all the more important.
According to Dr. Verma, exposure to air pollution in childhood doesn’t just cause short-term problems—it can lead to lifelong conditions like asthma, chronic bronchitis, and weakened lungs. Children with more fragile respiratory systems are also more vulnerable to infections such as pneumonia, and their lungs may begin to age faster than normal. Citing World Health Organization data, he noted that air pollution is linked to around 2 million premature deaths each year, many of which trace back to pollution exposure in early life.
