[Recurrent wheezing in subjects with preceding bronchiolitis. Role of environmental and genetic factors]

We have been following for one year 39 patients, who had been hospitalized in our Institute for an episode of bronchiolitis in the period between November 1986 and April 1987. Only 30 patients (17 males and 13 females) have completed the follow up. The patients have been divided into two groups. The group A (subsequent episodes of broncho-stenosis) was made up of 14 subjects, where as the group B (not-subsequent episodes of broncho-stenosis) counted 16 subjects. In the first group the episodes of wheezing have been 3,14 for Year (range 1-6). The patients of the two groups didn't differ for the gestational age, birth weight, respiratory distress in the first life hours; they moreover were homogeneous for the clinical gravity score and for the period in bed. We have evaluated if certain environmental factors such as the passive smoking, the socio-economical and dwelling conditions of the family and some genetic features such as the familiarity for atopy and the Ig E level may predispose the patients affected by bronchiolitis to a higher incidence of recurrent wheezing. Our data show how the above mentioned factors do not influence the recurrent wheezing in the patients with preceding bronchiolitis.