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Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
Association of early life wheeze and lung function
Ganesa Wegienka1, Suzanne Havstad, Edward M Zoratti
1Department of Biostatistics and Research Epidemiology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, USA. gwegien1@hfhs.org
Summary
Early childhood wheeze incidence varies by sex. Wheezing in early life is not a strong predictor of lung function at age six, but specific periods may predict asthma development in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Epidemiology
- Allergy and Immunology
Background:
- The incidence of wheeze in early childhood is not well-established.
- The long-term impact of early-life wheezing on respiratory health remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the age-specific incidence of wheezing in children.
- To investigate if early-life wheezing predicts airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), lung function (FEV1), and current asthma at age 6.
Main Methods:
- A birth cohort study (Childhood Allergy Study) tracked annual wheezing reports.
- Spirometry and methacholine challenge tests were conducted at age 6.
- Kaplan-Meier estimates and regression models analyzed wheezing incidence and predictive associations.
Main Results:
- The cumulative incidence of wheezing by age 6 was 66.2% in boys and 47.6% in girls.
- Wheezing timing did not strongly correlate with AHR or FEV1 at age 6.
- Wheezing in year 5 (boys) and years 4-5 (girls) predicted current asthma at age 6.
Conclusions:
- Wheezing episodes in early childhood may not reliably predict lung function by age 6.
- Specific wheezing patterns in early life might be associated with later asthma diagnosis.
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