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Auricular Acupressure as an Adjuvant Treatment for Wheezing in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
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Auricular Acupressure as an Adjuvant Treatment for Wheezing in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

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Risk factors for wheezing in the first year of life

Herberto José Chong Neto1, Nelson Augusto Rosário,

  • 1Medicina Interna, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil. h.chong@uol.com.br

Jornal De Pediatria
|October 25, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Infant wheezing risk factors include male gender, family asthma history, pets, early daycare, frequent colds, dermatitis, and mold exposure. Vaccinations and home bathrooms were protective. These findings aid in predicting and preventing childhood asthma.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Environmental Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Wheezing in infants is a common respiratory symptom.
  • Identifying risk factors is crucial for early intervention and asthma prevention.
  • Previous studies have explored various factors, but regional data is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the risk factors associated with wheezing in infants in southern Brazil.
  • To identify potential predictors for the development of asthma in early childhood.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study was conducted using the International Study of Wheezing in Infants (EISL) questionnaire.
  • Interviews were conducted with parents of 3,003 infants aged 12-15 months across 35 health centers.
  • Statistical analysis included univariate and Poisson regression to determine prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI).

Main Results:

  • Identified risk factors for infant wheezing included male gender (PR=1.14), family history of asthma (mother PR=1.18, father PR=1.20, siblings PR=1.23), presence of pets (PR=1.28), early daycare attendance (4-6 months PR=1.39), frequent colds (≥6 episodes PR=1.32), personal history of dermatitis (PR=1.09), and home mold (PR=1.14).
  • Protective factors included up-to-date immunization (PR=0.79) and having an indoor bathroom (PR=0.83).

Conclusions:

  • The identified risk factors for infant wheezing are also recognized risk factors for childhood and adolescent asthma.
  • These findings can inform strategies for predicting asthma diagnosis and implementing preventive measures in infants.
  • Understanding these associations is vital for public health initiatives aimed at reducing the burden of respiratory diseases.
Abstract

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