A new study published in *Paediatric Allergy and Immunology* has found that children diagnosed with asthma face an increased risk of developing anxiety. Researchers from the University of Queensland, Australia, discovered that adolescent girls with asthma experience more anxiety than boys. The team analyzed 9,369 reports from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, which has tracked the development and well‑being of 10,000 children since 2004.
Lead author Diana Sanchez reported that four‑year‑olds with asthma were more likely to develop anxiety between ages six and 15 compared with non‑asthmatic peers. “We found an 87 percent increased risk overall for children with asthma,” Sanchez said. Approximately one in five Australian children live with respiratory conditions characterized by chronic airway inflammation, leading to wheezing and shortness of breath. Sanchez emphasized that she does not believe asthma medications are responsible for the heightened anxiety risk. In fact, asthmatic children who were not on medication developed anxiety at a higher rate than those who were medicated—nine percent more likely.
Sanchez suggested that additional burdens of disease management or a possible link between immune system dysfunction, inflammation, and mental health could explain the association. She urged health professionals and parents to regularly monitor children’s mental health and provide psychological support when needed, as early identification could improve anxiety outcomes and overall asthma management.
Professor Olugbenga Mokuolu, a paediatrics professor at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, and consultant paediatrician at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, commented that children who have experienced bullying, abuse, or sexual molestation are also at risk for anxiety. He noted that while asthma can be fatal, children generally have better outcomes when they adhere to medication and maintain a reasonable lifestyle. Mokuolu highlighted additional anxiety triggers such as school stress, bullying, family disharmony, and exposure to acute danger or abuse. He advised parents to address the root causes of anxiety, monitor their children closely, and create safe spaces for open expression. He also urged parents to avoid situations that could trigger allergic reactions and precipitate asthma attacks.
According to the *JAMA Network*, anxiety is common among children and adolescents. The 2020 National Survey of Children’s Health estimated that 7.8 percent of children aged three to 17 had a current anxiety disorder, with 0.7 percent experiencing severe anxiety. Longitudinal studies indicate that early anxiety can increase the risk of secondary depression and may interfere with social, emotional, and academic development, potentially leading to substance abuse, suicide, educational underachievement, and functional impairment. Routine screening is therefore recommended to identify undiagnosed youth who could benefit from effective anxiety treatment.
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