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Respiratory tract infections in children with recurrent episodes as preschoolers

M Söderström1, B Hovelius, K Prellner

  • 1Department of Community Health Sciences, Dalby, Sweden.

Acta Paediatrica Scandinavica
|June 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

Children with recurrent respiratory tract infections (RTIs) as preschoolers experienced more frequent and longer RTIs in school. This suggests a long-term susceptibility to illness in these children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Recurrent respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in early childhood can indicate long-term health issues.
  • Understanding the trajectory of RTIs from preschool to school age is crucial for identifying at-risk children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To prospectively investigate the occurrence and duration of RTIs in school-age children with a history of recurrent RTIs as preschoolers.
  • To compare the RTI incidence and patterns between children with and without a history of recurrent preschool RTIs.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective two-year follow-up of 41 school-age children with recurrent preschool RTIs.
  • Comparison group of 29 children with few or no preschool RTIs.
  • Data collection via parental diaries and medical consultations.

Main Results:

  • Children with recurrent preschool RTIs had significantly more frequent and longer episodes of RTIs during the follow-up period (p < 0.01).
  • The annual incidence of bacterial RTI decreased with age in the recurrent group, unlike the consistently low incidence in controls, with significant differences up to age eight (p < 0.01).
  • Acute otitis media predominated in preschoolers, and acute tonsillitis in school-age children; increased incidence of other diseases and complications was noted in the high-morbidity group.

Conclusions:

  • Certain children exhibit a high morbidity pattern, remaining susceptible to RTIs and other illnesses for extended periods.
  • Early recurrent RTIs may identify a subgroup of children with a prolonged susceptibility to infections.
  • This highlights the need for long-term monitoring and potential interventions for children with a history of recurrent RTIs.

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