Childhood respiratory diseases related to indoor and outdoor extreme thermal environment (air temperature) in Shanghai, China

Ambient air temperature could be the most significant factor impacting childhood respiratory health. This paper aims to analyze the relationship between air temperature and childhood respiratory diseases (RDs). Field measurements and meteorological parameters recorded from the weather website were conducted. Health outcomes regarding respiratory diseases amongst preschool children were reported. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results from logistic regression analyses illustrate that extreme air temperature was significantly associated with a high prevalence of RDs amongst children. Indoor high temperature (>28°C) was positively correlated with the long duration of a common cold (≥2 weeks), and outdoor high temperature (>35°C) was positively related to the high prevalence of pneumonia. Indoor and outdoor low temperature (<18°C and <4°C, respectively) was a risk factor for rhinitis amongst children. The largest indoor air temperature difference (IATD) (the 4th quartile, >4°C) and outdoor air temperature difference (OATD) (the 4th quartile, >8°C) were positively related to the high prevalence of pneumonia and diagnosed asthma amongst children. Large differences between indoor and outdoor air temperatures and large indoor air temperature variations should be avoided to reduce the adverse effects on respiratory health, especially in extreme climates.