Risk factors in wheezing infants

Some lifestyle factors may be important for the occurrence of wheezing and there are considerable differences around the world.

Risk factors of wheezing were examined in 38 children (aged 6-24 months). Results were compared with healthy age-matched controls.

Family history of atopy, asthma and eczematoid dermatitis, and parental and pregnancy smoking were all reported as being substantially more common in wheezing infants than in controls (P < 0.05 for each parameter). Living conditions showed that the incidence of wheezing in infants was more common in households with wooden floor coverings compared with controls, which used plastic floor coverings (P < 0.05). They also showed that 55.3% of wheezing infants and only 20% of controls were living in moist dwelling environments (P < 0.05). With regard to bedding, the incidence of wheezing in infants was higher in households using synthetic materials compared with controls (P < 0.05). A history of in utero and environmental tobacco smoke exposure was associated with increased risk of recurrent wheezing. Odds ratio and logistic regression analysis were done with presence of wheezing as the dependent variable and all risk factors of interest as independent variables. Family history of atopy, high household humidity levels, parental smoking and wooden floors used in the home were significant risk factors for wheezing. Skin test positivity and gastroesophageal reflux were determined in wheezing infants as 18.4 and 13.2%, respectively.

Recurrent wheezing in infancy may be associated with many environmental and genetic factors. It is possible that allergen avoidance merely delays rather than prevents the development of allergic disorders.