Care for your baby's air

Asthma and newborns

1 in 4 children under 5 have asthma. 30% of infants will suffer from a respiratory condition before the age of 2 and many of these will develop asthma.

Asthma is the most common cause of hospital admission for children of this age. Children exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) are 2 times more likely to suffer from asthma compared to children who are not.

Asthma can be a serious and frightening condition. However very few young people die from asthma and asthma can be controlled if managed correctly.

The risk of developing asthma is markedly increased if a mother smokes during pregnancy or if a newborn is exposed to tobacco smoke. For those children with a family history of asthma or allergies, exposure to tobacco smoke can further increase the likelihood of developing asthma.

Young children have delicate lungs that are more easily affected by the chemicals in tobacco smoke. If exposed to passive smoking, children are more likely to develop sensitive airways, and are more susceptible to health problems. Click here for more information on the health effects of passive smoking.

For more information on asthma and newborns, visit the Asthma Foundation of WA’s website at www.asthmawa.org.au.