Are maternal and community risk factors associated with the presence of asthma among children placed in foster care?

ObjectiveThe occurrence of pediatric asthma has been associated with exposure to chronic stress. This study examined the relationship between maternal and community risk factors and asthma in a sample of maltreated children in foster care.MethodInterviews were conducted with 365 maltreated children in foster care. Measures included youth/caregiver reports of asthma, an index of maternal risk based on data abstracted from child welfare records and community violence exposure.ResultsAfter controlling for demographic variables, maternal risk was associated with the presence of asthma (OR = 1.314, 95% CI = 1.09–1.58). Community violence exposure, however, was not related to the presence of asthma.ConclusionMaternal risk factors were significantly associated with the presence of asthma in a foster care population. Physicians who care for maltreated children in foster care should be particularly attuned to the presence of these additional risk factors that may place high-risk children at increased risk for chronic health problems.

► The link between stress and childhood asthma was examined in a foster care sample.
► Stressors included exposure to community violence and maternal risk factors.
► Rates of asthma were higher among youth whose mothers had more maternal risk factors.