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Febrile respiratory illnesses in infancy and atopy are risk factors for persistent asthma and wheeze

M M H Kusel1, T Kebadze, S L Johnston

  • 1Division of Clinical Sciences, Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, PO Box 855, Perth 6872, Australia.

The European Respiratory Journal
|September 17, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Severe infant respiratory infections and early atopy increase the risk of persistent childhood wheeze and asthma. Fever during these infections is a key indicator of future asthma development.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Immunology
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Childhood wheeze and asthma are significant health concerns.
  • Severe viral respiratory infections and atopy are known risk factors.
  • Understanding early-life predictors is crucial for prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between severe early childhood respiratory infections, atopy, and persistent wheeze and asthma up to age 10.
  • To identify specific risk factors and markers for developing asthma.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective follow-up of 147 high-atopy-risk children from birth to 10 years.
  • Prospective data collection on infant respiratory infections (viral etiology ascertained).
  • Atopy assessment via skin prick tests; regular collection of wheeze, eczema, and asthma history.

Main Results:

  • At 10 years, 60% were atopic, 18.4% had asthma, and 20.4% had persistent wheeze.
  • Infants with wheezy or febrile lower respiratory infections (LRIs) who were also atopic by age 2 had significantly higher risks of persistent wheeze and asthma at age 10.
  • Fever during infant respiratory infections was the strongest predictor of later asthma.

Conclusions:

  • Severe viral respiratory infections in infancy combined with early atopy are significant risk factors for persistent childhood wheeze and asthma.
  • Fever during early respiratory illnesses is a critical marker for predicting asthma development.
  • Fever should be routinely measured in prospective studies on asthma etiology.

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