The incidence of asthma among local children has risen from 3.34 percent six years ago to 5.92 percent, the highest rate in the nation, according to a recent survey conducted by the Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Medical experts said 20 million Chinese people suffered asthma, but fewer than 5 percent of patients, including children, received regular treatment.

"The disease in about 80 percent of patients can be well controlled if they undergo proper treatment and management," said Dr Bai Chunxue, director of Zhongshan Hospital's respiratory disease department.

He said the theme of World Asthma Day, Tuesday, was that asthma could be controlled. "To control pediatric asthma, both children and parents should receive health education on asthma prevention and intervention."

The disease control center researched 7,215 local children between six and 14 years old, and found more boys suffered asthma than girls. Children living downtown had a higher incidence of asthma than those living in the outskirts.

Experts said growing up with slight allergies could spur the immune system to be less sensitive to potential triggers for allergies like asthma, eczema and hay fever.

A history of allergic diseases, premature birth and breast-feeding all affect asthma, they noted.

(Shanghai Daily May 7, 2008)