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Relationship between infant weight gain and later asthma

Ian M Paul1, Lindsay Camera, Robert S Zeiger

  • 1Department of Pediatrics and Public Health, Science Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033-0850, USA. ipaul@psu.edu

Pediatric Allergy and Immunology : Official Publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
|September 4, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Infant weight gain patterns did not predict asthma symptoms or lung function in preschoolers. However, decelerated infant weight gain was linked to fewer asthma exacerbations requiring prednisone or urgent doctor visits.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Asthma and obesity prevalence have risen significantly in recent decades.
  • Accelerated infant growth patterns are linked to obesity and related health issues.
  • Understanding early life factors influencing childhood asthma is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between infant weight gain patterns and the development of asthma in early childhood.
  • To determine if early life weight trajectory predicts asthma symptoms, pulmonary function, or exacerbations.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial involving 197 children at-risk for asthma (2-3 years old).
  • Infant weight gain patterns (accelerated, average, decelerated) were categorized from birth to study enrollment.
  • Regression analyses adjusted for demographics, baseline symptoms, treatment, and atopic indicators to assess outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Infant weight gain pattern was not associated with daily asthma symptoms or lung function at study conclusion.
  • Fewer asthma exacerbations requiring prednisone courses and urgent physician visits were observed in children with decelerated infant weight gain.
  • Significant associations were found between weight gain patterns and asthma exacerbations (prednisone: p = 0.01; urgent visits: p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

  • Early life weight gain patterns are associated with subsequent asthma exacerbations in at-risk children.
  • These patterns did not correlate with asthma symptoms or pulmonary function during the preschool years.
  • Further research may elucidate the mechanisms linking infant growth trajectories to asthma severity.

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