Children with asthma have poorer memories

Research has revealed that kids with the lung condition perform worse at recollection tasks than those who do not have it.

The memory deficit can have long-term consequences, as it puts them at risk of conditions such as dementia in later life.

Experts followed a sample of 473 children over a period of two years and concluded that those who had asthma for a longer period had slower memory development over time.

Simona Ghetti, lead author of the study at the University of California, Davis, said: "This study underscores the importance of looking at asthma as a potential source of cognitive difficulty in children.

"We are becoming increasingly aware that chronic diseases, not only asthma but also diabetes, heart disease and others, may place children at increased risk of cognitive difficulties.

"We need to understand the factors that might exacerbate or protect against the risks."

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