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Published on: August 7, 2017
Bronchial obstructive phenotypes in the first year of life among Paris birth cohort infants
Bénédicte Clarisse1, Christophe Demattei, Lydia Nikasinovic
1Laboratoire Santé Publique et Environnement, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France.
Insights
This study identified two infant phenotypes with distinct respiratory symptoms, suggesting potential allergic and asthmatic outcomes. Close follow-up is recommended for these infants, considering environmental and behavioral risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Allergology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- The natural history of early childhood respiratory and allergic diseases remains unclear.
- Prospective studies are crucial for understanding symptom onset and progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively assess the onset of respiratory and allergic symptoms in early childhood.
- To identify distinct infant phenotypes based on bronchial obstructive symptoms.
Main Methods:
- A Paris birth cohort study involving 2698 infants.
- Data collected via five questionnaires during the first year of life.
- Partitioning around medoids (PAM) for infant classification and polytomous logistic regression for factor analysis.
Main Results:
- Two distinct infant phenotypes (G1 and G2) were identified, comprising 8.7% and 23.5% of infants, respectively.
- G2 infants exhibited severe bronchial obstructive disorders, while G1 infants had nocturnal dry cough.
- Parental asthma history, rhino-conjunctivitis symptoms, and birth season differentiated the G1 group.
Conclusions:
- Infants in G1 and G2 groups require close monitoring for potential allergic and asthmatic phenotypes.
- Environmental and behavioral risk factors may play a role in the development of these conditions.
Abstract:
As the natural history of respiratory and allergic manifestations is unclear, our ongoing Paris birth cohort study prospectively assesses the onset of these symptoms in early childhood. Data were collected by five questionnaires sent at regular intervals during the first year of life. Partitioning around medoids (PAM) was used to classify infants according to their bronchial obstructive symptoms. A polytomous logistic regression was performed to assess the eventual predictable power of various respiratory events and perinatal factors. Results are given for 2698 infants. Atopic dermatitis occurred in 17.9% of infants. The main respiratory symptoms in infancy were wheeze in the chest (22%), dyspnoea responsible for sleep disturbance (23.7%), nocturnal dry cough (14.5%) and shortness of breath (4.2%). The PAM method identified three groups of infants. Apart from the G0 group of infants mostly asymptomatic, two distinct clinical phenotypes (G1 and G2: 8.7% and 23.5% of total infants respectively) emerged. G2 was defined by severe bronchial obstructive disorders as all cases of dyspnoea with sleep disturbance were included in this group, while all infants assigned in G1 suffered from nocturnal dry cough. G2 group infants had significantly higher rates of respiratory events while a parental history of asthma, symptoms suggestive of rhino-conjunctivitis and birth season clearly differentiated the G1 group. Finally, G1 and G2 group infants should be closely followed up as they are expected to develop allergic and asthmatic phenotypes, possibly in relation to environmental and behavioural risk factors.
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