Does decline of lung function in wheezy infants justify the early start of controller medications?

Magdy Zedan1, Nehad Nasef, Mohamed El-Bayoumy

  • 1Allergy Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Pin Code: 35516, Box 50, Mansoura, Egypt. magdyzedan@mans.edu.eg

Insights

Wheezy infants show altered lung function and higher immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. Asthma risk factors, alongside immunological markers like IgE, can predict persistent wheezing in young children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Immunology
  • Allergy Research

Background:

  • Recurrent wheezing in infants is a common clinical problem.
  • Identifying predictors for persistent asthma is crucial for early intervention.
  • Asthma risk factors and immunological profiles may indicate future asthma development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare lung function and immunological parameters in wheezy infants.
  • To assess the predictive value of risk factors and immunological markers for subsequent asthma.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 241 infants (5–36 months) with recurrent wheeze.
  • Comparison between wheezy infants (with/without asthma risk factors) and healthy controls.
  • Measurement of total serum IgE, eosinophilic percentage, and respiratory mechanics (tPTEF/tE, Crs, Rrs).

Main Results:

  • Wheezy infants exhibited higher eosinophilic percentage and total serum IgE than controls.
  • Wheezy infants showed significantly impaired pulmonary function parameters.
  • Asthma risk factors (family history, lack of breastfeeding) correlated with reduced tPTEF/tE and elevated IgE/eosinophils.

Conclusions:

  • Lung function, eosinophilic percentage, and total serum IgE are valuable predictors of ongoing wheeze in infants.
  • Asthma risk factors are associated with specific immunological and lung function changes.
  • These parameters can aid in identifying infants at higher risk for persistent asthma.
Abstract

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