Relación entre las infecciones respiratorias víricas de vías bajas durante el primer año de vida y la posterior aparición de asma en los niños

Abstract

Introduction: A review of literature shows that there is few data from studies with a neonatal cohort design about the relation between lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) and asthma and wheezing in children. In many patients with asthma, especially in children, LRTI induce wheezing. Prospective studies have indicated that viral infections may cause asthma. Description of the natural history of wheezing during childhood in different phenotypes and the risk factors related can provide a neonatal cohort that may be followed up until adulthood, to assess the relationship between asthma in childhood and asthma in adults. Hypothesis: LRTI that occur during the first year of life are a risk factor for the later appearance of asthma and wheezing in children. Objectives: (1) Assess the role of LRTI that occur during the first year of life as a risk factor for the development of asthma and wheezing in children. (2) Progress in the knowledge of the natural history of wheezing during childhood, including early, late, and persistent phenotypes. (3) Determine the prevalence and incidence of children who develop asthma and wheeze during childhood. (4) Determine the relationship of other variables than LRTI with asthma and wheezing. (5) To have a neonatal cohort that may be followed up until adulthood to assess the relationship of asthma in childhood and asthma in adults. Methods: The study is a neonatal cohort design, from general and non selected population. Mothers and newborns were recruited during the visit to the Hospital del Mar, Barcelona. The newborn cohort was followed up until 6 years of age. The outcomes were asthma and wheezing diagnoses; the independent variable studied was LTRI that occur during the first year, in addition of various covariables as prematurity, newborn weight, maternal history of asthma, environmental tobacco smoke and others. Results: We obtained information to the end of the study, in 6th year of life, for a total of 368 children. The prevalence of asthma at 6 years was 9.3 %. Variables identified as risk factors for asthma were: LRTI, prematurity, have atopic mother, and have taken formula feeding. LRTI during the first year of age are a risk factor to early and persistent wheezing. Conclusions: Results from this study confirm that the LRTI that occur during the first year of age are a risk factor to the asthma and with the clinical phenotypes of early wheezing and persistent wheezing.

Date of Award	10 Jul 2009
Original language	Undefined/Unknown
Supervisor	Jordi Sunyer Deu (Director), Oriol Vall Combelles (Director) & Oscar García Algar (Director)