Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
05:31

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels

Published on: August 7, 2017

Prevalence of and risk factors for wheezing in the first year of life

João Antonio Bonfadini Lima1, Gilberto Bueno Fischer, Edgar Enrique Sarria

  • 1Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul – Porto Alegre, Brazil. jabl@superig.com.br

Jornal Brasileiro De Pneumologia : Publicacao Oficial Da Sociedade Brasileira De Pneumologia E Tisilogia
|November 19, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Wheezing is common in Porto Alegre infants, affecting 61%. Key risk factors include male gender, maternal smoking, daycare, and early weaning, highlighting the need for targeted infant respiratory health interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
  • Public Health Epidemiology
  • Childhood Illness Risk Factors

Background:

  • Wheezing is a prevalent respiratory symptom in infants, impacting a significant portion of this age group.
  • Identifying risk factors for infant wheezing is crucial for developing effective prevention and management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of wheezing in infants under one year of age in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
  • To identify significant risk factors associated with wheezing episodes in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 1,013 infants in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
  • Data collected via standardized questionnaires administered to parents/guardians during home visits or at primary care clinics.
  • Poisson regression with robust variance estimation used to analyze potential risk factors.

Main Results:

  • The prevalence of wheezing was 61% among infants studied.
  • Recurrent wheezing (≥3 episodes) occurred in one-third of affected infants.
  • Identified risk factors included male gender, maternal smoking during pregnancy, daycare attendance, low maternal education, early weaning, recurrent infections, and family history of asthma.

Conclusions:

  • Infant wheezing is highly prevalent in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
  • Multiple modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors contribute to wheezing in infants.
  • Findings underscore the importance of public health initiatives addressing identified risk factors to reduce wheezing incidence.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Asthma I: Introduction01:28

Asthma I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by variable airflow obstruction and heightened bronchial responsiveness to a wide range of triggers. The underlying inflammation leads to airway swelling, mucus hypersecretion, and smooth muscle constriction, all of which narrow the airway lumen and impede airflow. Clinically, asthma presents with recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, symptoms that typically vary in intensity and...
Asthma-I: Introduction01:29

Asthma-I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic respiratory ailment that requires careful management due to its varying symptoms and influencing factors. It is characterized by airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airflow obstruction, leading to symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The symptom frequency and intensity may vary considerably over time. It is also linked to immune system responses to allergens and irritants, highlighting the complex...
Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management01:20

Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management

Asthma is a chronic pulmonary condition involving inflammation of the airways, hyper-reactivity, and reversible obstruction of the airways. This condition can significantly impact a person's quality of life, making breathing difficult and leading to distressing symptoms.
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations01:13

Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations

Asthma presents with a characteristic pattern of episodic respiratory symptoms that reflect underlying airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus hypersecretion. Although severity varies among individuals, certain clinical manifestations are considered hallmarks of the disorder and often guide diagnosis and assessment.Respiratory SymptomsA persistent cough is one of the most common early features of asthma. It is frequently dry and tends to worsen at night or in the early morning,...
Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification01:26

Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification

Asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory condition marked by inflammation and hyperresponsiveness of the airways. Its pathophysiology involves complex interactions among inflammatory pathways, immune responses, and neural mechanisms.
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction01:23

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a common, preventable, and treatable respiratory disorder characterized by persistent symptoms and progressive airflow limitation. This limitation results from a combination of small-airway disease (obstructive bronchiolitis) and parenchymal destruction (emphysema), both driven by chronic inflammation from exposure to harmful particles or gases.The disease includes two main pathological entities: emphysema, marked by destruction of alveolar walls and...