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El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la asociación entre contaminación atmosférica y el desarrollo de síntomas respiratorios en preescolares de Bucaramanga, Colombia. Se realizó un estudio de cohorte durante un año, registrando síntomas en preescolares residentes en dos zonas de la ciudad con mediciones extremas de PM10 y se ajustó por variables individuales y residenciales con un modelo multinivel. Se siguieron 707 preescolares. El estornudo y la tos con flemas fueron los síntomas más frecuentes con tasas de incidencia de 277,2 y 203,3 eventos por 100 niños-mes en riesgo. En la zona de mayor contaminación, un incremento de 10µg/m³ en la concentración atmosférica de PM10 incrementó en 1,3 el número de síntomas diarios reportados. El análisis multinivel mostró ausencia de asociación entre PM10 y síntomas respiratorios y que la historia de asma, la exposición a alto flujo vehicular frente a la vivienda, la presencia de animales domésticos y de suelos de tierra, son las variables que tienen mayor efecto sobre la presencia de síntomas en esta población de preescolares. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between air pollution and respiratory symptoms in preschoolers from Bucaramanga, Colombia. A cohort study was conducted by reporting daily symptoms in preschoolers living in two zones of the city with different PM10 air pollution levels. Individual and neighborhood variables were included in a multilevel analysis. In 707 preschoolers followed for a year, sneezing and cough with mucus were the most frequent symptoms, with incidence rates of 277.2 and 203.3 events per 100 child months at risk. In the high pollution zone, an increase of 10µg/m3 in PM10 concentration increased the reporting of daily symptoms by 1.3. Multilevel analysis showed no statistical association between PM10 and respiratory symptoms, but asthma history, heavy traffic in front of the residence, presence of domestic pets, and dirt floors were associated with respiratory symptoms.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between air pollution and respiratory symptoms in preschoolers from Bucaramanga, Colombia. A cohort study was conducted by reporting daily symptoms in preschoolers living in two zones of the city with different PM10 air pollution levels. Individual and neighborhood variables were included in a multilevel analysis. In 707 preschoolers followed for a year, sneezing and cough with mucus were the most frequent symptoms, with incidence rates of 277.2 and 203.3 events per 100 child months at risk. In the high pollution zone, an increase of 10 microg/m3 in PM10 concentration increased the reporting of daily symptoms by 1.3. Multilevel analysis showed no statistical association between PM10 and respiratory symptoms, but asthma history, heavy traffic in front of the residence, presence of domestic pets, and dirt floors were associated with respiratory symptoms.