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Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
Published on: November 4, 2010
[From bronchiolitis to asthma]
1Centre hospitalier intercommunal, 40, avenue de Verdun, 94000 Créteil, France. christophe.delacourt@chicreteil.fr
Insights
Wheezing in infancy can lead to school-age asthma, especially after severe bronchiolitis. Early allergic sensitization significantly increases this risk, impacting long-term respiratory health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric respiratory medicine
- Allergology
- Epidemiology
Context:
- The link between infant wheezing and childhood asthma is debated.
- Most wheezy infants are asymptomatic by school age.
- Severe infant bronchiolitis is a known risk factor for persistent wheezing.
Purpose:
- To explore the relationship between infant respiratory illnesses and school-age asthma.
- To identify risk factors for persistent wheezing and asthma development.
Summary:
- Epidemiological studies indicate that while most infants with wheezing recover, severe bronchiolitis increases the likelihood of persistent wheezing into school age.
- Early allergic sensitization is a key factor exacerbating the risk of developing persistent asthma.
Impact:
- Findings highlight the importance of early identification and management of infant respiratory conditions.
- Understanding risk factors like allergic sensitization can inform preventative strategies for childhood asthma.
Abstract:
Relationships between lower respiratory diseases with wheezing during infancy and asthma at school-age remain debatted. Indeed, although epidemiologic studies show that wheezy infants most often become asymptomatic before entry to school, they also demonstrate that severe bronchiolitis during infancy is a significant risk factor for persistence of wheezing episodes at school-age. One of the most important factors demonstrated to enhance the risk for persistence of asthma is an early allergic sensitization.
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Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
Asthma-I: Introduction
Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
Asthma I: Introduction
Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features

