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Lower respiratory illness in childhood is associated with later development of asthma and wheezing that can persist into adulthood, and may be a risk factor for adult chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a prospective study has found.
Researchers assessed the lung function of 646 children – 338 of whom had experienced lower respiratory illness before age 3 years, and 308 controls – and found those who had early pneumonia had a nearly twofold increase in the risk of asthma and wheeze up to age 26 years.
They also had the most severe subsequent deficits in lung function, while those with early non-pneumonia lower respiratory illness had smaller but still significant impairments in lung function and increased risk of wheezing, according to a paper published online in Pediatrics (2015;135:607-15 [10.1542/peds.2014-3060]).
“Because there is considerable evidence that asthma associated with airflow limitation is a strong risk factor for subsequent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the prevention of early-life pneumonia and of the factors that determine low lung function in infancy may contribute significantly to decrease the public health burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,” wrote Dr. Johnny Y.C. Chan of the Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong, and his associates.
The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health, and no conflicts of interest were declared.
Lower respiratory illness in childhood is associated with later development of asthma and wheezing that can persist into adulthood, and may be a risk factor for adult chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a prospective study has found.
Researchers assessed the lung function of 646 children – 338 of whom had experienced lower respiratory illness before age 3 years, and 308 controls – and found those who had early pneumonia had a nearly twofold increase in the risk of asthma and wheeze up to age 26 years.
They also had the most severe subsequent deficits in lung function, while those with early non-pneumonia lower respiratory illness had smaller but still significant impairments in lung function and increased risk of wheezing, according to a paper published online in Pediatrics (2015;135:607-15 [10.1542/peds.2014-3060]).
“Because there is considerable evidence that asthma associated with airflow limitation is a strong risk factor for subsequent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the prevention of early-life pneumonia and of the factors that determine low lung function in infancy may contribute significantly to decrease the public health burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,” wrote Dr. Johnny Y.C. Chan of the Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong, and his associates.
The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health, and no conflicts of interest were declared.
Lower respiratory illness in childhood is associated with later development of asthma and wheezing that can persist into adulthood, and may be a risk factor for adult chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a prospective study has found.
Researchers assessed the lung function of 646 children – 338 of whom had experienced lower respiratory illness before age 3 years, and 308 controls – and found those who had early pneumonia had a nearly twofold increase in the risk of asthma and wheeze up to age 26 years.
They also had the most severe subsequent deficits in lung function, while those with early non-pneumonia lower respiratory illness had smaller but still significant impairments in lung function and increased risk of wheezing, according to a paper published online in Pediatrics (2015;135:607-15 [10.1542/peds.2014-3060]).
“Because there is considerable evidence that asthma associated with airflow limitation is a strong risk factor for subsequent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the prevention of early-life pneumonia and of the factors that determine low lung function in infancy may contribute significantly to decrease the public health burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,” wrote Dr. Johnny Y.C. Chan of the Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong, and his associates.
The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health, and no conflicts of interest were declared.
Key clinical point: Lower respiratory illness in childhood is associated with later development of asthma and wheezing that can persist into adulthood.
Major finding: Children who experienced pneumonia before age 3 years had a nearly twofold increase in the risk of asthma and wheeze up to age 26.
Data source: Prospective cohort study in 338 children with early lower respiratory illness and 308 controls.
Disclosures: The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health, and no conflicts of interest were declared.