Lauren Benton

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Scholarly Contributions

Chapters

• Benton, L. D., & Martinez, F. D. (2024). Macrolide Use in Preschool-Aged Children with Acute or Recurrent Respiratory Tract Illnesses with Wheezing. In Macrolide Use in Preschool-Aged Children with Acute or Recurrent Respiratory Tract Illnesses with Wheezing(pp 271-281). Springer International Publishing.

Journals/Publications

• Benton, L., Lopez-Galvez, N., Herman, C., Caporaso, G., Cope, E., Rosales, C., Gameros, M., Lothrop, N., Martínez, F., Wright, A., Carr, T., & Beamer, P. (2023). Environmental and Structural Factors Associated with Bacterial Diversity in Household Dust Across the Arizona-Sonora Border. Research square.
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  We previously reported that asthma prevalence was higher in the United States (US) compared to Mexico (MX) (25.8% vs 8.4%). This investigation assessed differences in microbial dust composition in relation to demographic and housing characteristics on both sides of the US-MX Border. Forty homes were recruited in the US and MX. Home visits collected floor dust and documented occupants' demographics, asthma prevalence, and housing structure and use characteristics. US households were more likely to have inhabitants who reported asthma when compared with MX households (30% vs 5%) and had significantly different flooring types. The percentage of households on paved roads, with flushing toilets, with piped water and with air conditioning was higher in the US, while dust load was higher in MX. Significant differences exist between countries in the microbial composition of the floor dust. Dust from US homes was enriched with , whereas dust from Mexican homes was enriched with and . A predictive metagenomics analysis identified 68 significantly differentially abundant functional pathways between US and MX. This study documented multiple structural, environmental, and demographic differences between homes in the US and MX that may contribute to significantly different microbial composition of dust observed in these two countries.
• Benton, L. D. (2022). Childhood Respiratory Conditions: Asthma. FP essentials, 513, 11-19.
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  Asthma is a heterogeneous condition characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation that result in variable patterns of reversible airway obstruction with symptoms that vary over time. It occurs in approximately 10% of children. Symptoms typically are intermittent and include wheezing, cough, chest tightness, and dyspnea. In some young children, cough may be the only symptom. Symptoms commonly are caused by infections, exercise, allergens, or irritants. The diagnosis is based on a combination of history and physical examination findings and pulmonary function test results. Young children with symptoms similar to those of asthma with viral infections may or may not develop asthma; various scoring systems can predict the likelihood. For patients with asthma, controller drugs can reduce symptoms and prevent exacerbations. These drugs include inhaled corticosteroids, long-acting beta2-agonists that often are combined with inhaled corticosteroids, long-acting muscarinic antagonists, leukotriene receptor antagonists, and injectable biologics. Drugs are introduced in a stepwise manner, depending on age and severity of symptoms. Acute asthma exacerbations are managed with bronchodilators and oral corticosteroids. Patients with asthma and their families should have an asthma action plan to guide self-management. Physicians should ensure that patients are adhering to drug regimens and using inhalers appropriately. Environmental factors, such as allergens or cigarette smoke, can worsen symptoms and should be addressed.
• Munoz, F. A., Benton, L. D., Kops, S. A., Kowalek, K. A., & Seckeler, M. D. (2020). Greater length of stay and hospital charges for severe asthma in children with depression or anxiety. Pediatric pulmonology, 55(11), 2908-2912.
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  Asthma is one of the most common chronic disorders of childhood and is associated with significant healthcare utilization and costs. Comorbid psychiatric illnesses, specifically depression and anxiety, are more prevalent in patients with asthma and associated with worse asthma control, more emergency department visits, and increased hospitalization rates.