Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 20, 2026

Evaluation of Respiratory System Mechanics in Mice using the Forced Oscillation Technique
13:10

Evaluation of Respiratory System Mechanics in Mice using the Forced Oscillation Technique

Published on: May 15, 2013

Respiratory repercussions in adults with a history of infantile bronchiolitis

Roberto Gómez1, Carlos Colás, Antonio Sebastián

  • 1Servicios de Neumología y Alergia, Hospital Clinico de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain. algc-colas@hcu-lblesa.es

Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology : Official Publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
|November 26, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Infants who experienced viral bronchiolitis may face long-term respiratory issues into young adulthood. This study found increased symptoms and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in adults with a history of infant bronchiolitis.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric respiratory health
  • Long-term effects of infant infections

Background:

  • Infant viral bronchiolitis is linked to later childhood respiratory illnesses.
  • Understanding the long-term impact of early-life respiratory infections is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the lasting respiratory consequences of acute viral bronchiolitis in infancy.
  • Investigate potential links between infant bronchiolitis and adult respiratory health.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 71 young adults with a history of infant viral bronchiolitis and 32 controls were evaluated.
  • Methods included medical history, spirometry, methacholine challenge, and skin prick testing.

Main Results:

  • The bronchiolitis group exhibited a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms (P=.03) and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (P=.003).
  • Lower peak expiratory flow rates were observed in the bronchiolitis group (P=.02).
  • Skin prick test results did not differ significantly between groups.

Conclusions:

  • Findings suggest infant viral bronchiolitis may predispose individuals to lower respiratory tract problems in young adulthood.
  • This research supports and expands upon previous studies linking early viral infections to later respiratory health outcomes.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features01:24

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features

Chronic bronchitis is a key phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by airway-centered inflammation and mucus overproduction. It develops from long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases, most commonly cigarette smoke, which triggers a persistent inflammatory response.Cellular and Structural ChangesInflammation initially affects the large bronchi and later the smaller airways, with infiltration by immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and...
Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation01:17

Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation

In terms of human respiration, the act of expelling air, known as exhalation (or expiration), operates on the principle of pressure gradients. During expiration, the pressure within the lungs exceeds that of the surrounding atmosphere. Under normal conditions, quiet breathing involves passive exhalation and is free of muscular contractions. This is because the exhalation process is driven by the natural elastic recoil of the lungs and chest wall, both of which have an inherent tendency to...
Asthma I: Introduction01:28

Asthma I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by variable airflow obstruction and heightened bronchial responsiveness to a wide range of triggers. The underlying inflammation leads to airway swelling, mucus hypersecretion, and smooth muscle constriction, all of which narrow the airway lumen and impede airflow. Clinically, asthma presents with recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, symptoms that typically vary in intensity and...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction01:23

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a common, preventable, and treatable respiratory disorder characterized by persistent symptoms and progressive airflow limitation. This limitation results from a combination of small-airway disease (obstructive bronchiolitis) and parenchymal destruction (emphysema), both driven by chronic inflammation from exposure to harmful particles or gases.The disease includes two main pathological entities: emphysema, marked by destruction of alveolar walls and...
Asthma-I: Introduction01:29

Asthma-I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic respiratory ailment that requires careful management due to its varying symptoms and influencing factors. It is characterized by airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airflow obstruction, leading to symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The symptom frequency and intensity may vary considerably over time. It is also linked to immune system responses to allergens and irritants, highlighting the complex...
Breathing01:05

Breathing

The process of breathing, inhaling and exhaling, involves the coordinated movement of the chest wall, the lungs, and the muscles that move them. Two muscle groups with important roles in breathing are the diaphragm, located directly below the lungs, and the intercostal muscles, which lie between the ribs. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and creating more room for the lungs to expand. When the intercostal muscles contract, the ribs...