Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with the development of asthma, but the link between the two remains controversial currently. This protocol describes a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the association between different ACEs and asthma. METHODS: We will conduct a comprehensive search across PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to identify research pertaining to the correlation between ACEs and asthma, spanning from the inception of these databases to April 30, 2025. The information primarily will encompass fundamental study attributes (such as lead author, publication year, geographical location, and study design) and essential demographic details (including sample size, gender distribution, and average age) of the study populations. The primary focus is on examining the relationship between ACEs and asthma, with the quality assessment of included case-control or cohort studies being conducted using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). The processes of literature screening, data extraction, and bias evaluation will be independently carried out in duplicate by two investigators. In instances where meta-analysis is not applicable, we will employ optimal methods for integrating evidence descriptively. DISCUSSION: This protocol will use meta-analysis to prove the relationship between different types of ACEs and asthma, hoping to improve the quality of life of children with ACEs and reduce the incidence of asthma. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42024544950.