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Respiratory morbidity 20 years after RSV infection in infancy

M Korppi1, E Piippo-Savolainen, K Korhonen

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Kuopio University and University Hospital, Finland. matti.korppi@uku.fi

Pediatric Pulmonology
|June 24, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Infants hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection show increased risk for abnormal lung function in adulthood. Early RSV infection is an independent risk factor for reduced lung function, but not asthma or bronchial reactivity.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Early-life respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is a suspected risk factor for adult asthma.
  • Prospective studies tracking RSV infection from infancy through adulthood are lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate early-life RSV infection as a risk factor for adult asthma, bronchial reactivity, and lung function abnormalities.
  • To investigate the long-term respiratory health outcomes in young adults previously hospitalized for RSV bronchiolitis or pneumonia.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cohort study followed children hospitalized for RSV before age 24 months until ages 18-20 years.
  • Methods included questionnaires, spirometry (FVS), methacholine challenge (MIC), home peak expiratory flow (PEF) monitoring, and skin prick tests (SPT).

Main Results:

  • 17-22% of RSV-exposed subjects had asthma; 44% had abnormal lung function compared to 11% of controls.
  • RSV infection in infancy was an independent risk factor for lung function abnormality (OR, 5.27) and decreased FEV% and MEF50.
  • No significant association was found between early RSV infection and asthma or bronchial reactivity.

Conclusions:

  • Hospitalization for RSV in infancy is an independent risk factor for developing lung function abnormalities in young adulthood.
  • While not directly linked to asthma or bronchial hyperresponsiveness, early RSV infection has lasting impacts on lung function.

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