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Rhinovirus infections in infancy and early childhood

Elisabeth Kieninger1, Oliver Fuchs, Philipp Latzin

  • 1Dept of Paediatrics, University Children's Hospital of Bern, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland.

The European Respiratory Journal
|June 30, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Rhinovirus (RV) infections are common in young children, causing respiratory illnesses. Early RV infections may increase the risk of developing childhood asthma, but the exact mechanisms require further investigation.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Rhinoviruses (RVs) are frequent causes of respiratory infections in infants and young children.
  • These infections range from mild to severe, often requiring hospitalization.
  • RVs are implicated in the development of recurrent wheeze and asthma in early childhood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of RVs in infant and early childhood respiratory diseases.
  • To discuss the association between RV infections and the development of childhood wheeze and asthma.
  • To explore the underlying mechanisms linking RVs to asthma development.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on RV infections in infants and children.
  • Analysis of data linking early-life RV infections to later asthma development.
  • Discussion of proposed pathogenetic mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Rhinovirus infections are a significant cause of respiratory morbidity in young children.
  • Evidence suggests a link between early-life RV-induced wheezing and later asthma diagnosis.
  • The precise role of RVs in asthma pathogenesis remains under investigation.

Conclusions:

  • Rhinoviruses are critical pathogens in early childhood respiratory health.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms by which RVs contribute to asthma development.
  • Understanding this link is crucial for potential preventative strategies.

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