Heredity of asthma in Saudi population.

In a cross-sectional study, the prevalence of asthma, hay fever and eczema was studied in 1150 schoolchildren attending school in Jeddah Western region of Saudi Arabia. The family histories of asthma, hay fever and eczema were examined in first degree relatives. The age range of children studied was 7-12 years, with a mean of 9.3 years (47% boys and 53% girls). A self-administered questionnaire was completed by the parents of the child to collect information concerning bronchial asthma, hay fever, and eczema in the target child and family history of respiratory allergy. A detailed family history and personal histories of asthma were available for 1035 Saudi children aged 7-12 years old. The rate of asthma and hay fever were significantly higher among siblings and offspring (cases) compared to their parents (p < 0.001). The results showed a high positive correlation between the relatives of affected children with respect to asthma and hay fever. These findings support the hypothesis that asthma and hay fever may be inherited in the Saudi population, but the mode of inheritance has yet to be determined.