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Association between preterm birth and intrauterine growth retardation and child asthma

Bengt Källén1, Orvar Finnström, Karl-Gösta Nygren

  • 1University of Lund, Lund, Sweden. Bengt.Kallen@med.lu.se

The European Respiratory Journal
|June 16, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Preterm birth significantly increases childhood asthma risk. Intrauterine growth retardation also elevates risk, particularly in term infants, though preterm birth remains the stronger factor.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Preterm birth is linked to childhood asthma.
  • The role of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) in asthma development is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the independent and combined effects of preterm birth and IUGR on childhood asthma risk.
  • To identify mediating factors, such as neonatal respiratory problems, in the association between birth characteristics and asthma.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Swedish health register data on infant characteristics and childhood asthma diagnoses.
  • Employed Mantel-Haenszel methodology, adjusting for covariates like maternal age, parity, smoking, and BMI.
  • Assessed childhood asthma via anti-asthmatic drug prescriptions.

Main Results:

  • Both short gestational duration (preterm birth) and IUGR were identified as independent risk factors for childhood asthma.
  • Short gestational duration conferred the highest risk.
  • Mechanical ventilation and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in neonates were strong risk factors.
  • Infants born large for gestational age also showed a moderately increased asthma risk.

Conclusions:

  • Preterm birth is a more significant risk factor for childhood asthma than IUGR.
  • IUGR also contributes to asthma risk, even in term infants.
  • Neonatal respiratory issues mediate asthma risk associated with adverse birth outcomes.

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