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Preterm delivery and asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Jouni J K Jaakkola1, Parvez Ahmed, Antonia Ieromnimon
1Institute of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Birmingham, UK. j.jaakkola@bham.ac.uk
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|October 13, 2006
Summary
Preterm babies face a higher risk of developing asthma later in life. This meta-analysis confirms the link between preterm delivery and increased asthma risk, highlighting the need for specialized care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
- Epidemiology
- Perinatal Health
Background:
- Growing evidence links shorter pregnancy duration to increased asthma risk.
- Previous studies on preterm delivery and asthma risk have yielded inconsistent results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize existing evidence on the association between preterm delivery and the risk of developing asthma.
- To investigate sources of heterogeneity among studies examining this relationship.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive MEDLINE search was conducted up to May 2005.
- Asthma was the primary outcome of interest.
- Preterm delivery was defined as a gestational age under 37 weeks.
Main Results:
- Nineteen articles were included in the meta-analysis.
- A statistically significant increased risk of asthma was observed in relation to preterm delivery (random-effects OR, 1.366).
- Substantial heterogeneity was noted between study estimates, with stronger effects in cross-sectional studies and those with specific population or publication characteristics.
Conclusions:
- Preterm birth is a significant determinant of increased asthma risk in children.
- Specialized preventive measures and treatment for airflow obstruction are crucial for preterm infants.
- Further research should consider factors like study design and population characteristics when evaluating this association.
