Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2026

Auricular Acupressure as an Adjuvant Treatment for Wheezing in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
02:34

Auricular Acupressure as an Adjuvant Treatment for Wheezing in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Published on: May 10, 2024

Wheezing in infancy

Yehia M El-Gamal1, Shereen S El-Sayed

  • 1From the Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Unit, Children's Hospital, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

The World Allergy Organization Journal
|January 4, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Infant wheezing affects 30% of children under three, often due to viral infections and airway anatomy. Early allergy testing and tailored treatments, including inhaled steroids, can help manage persistent cases and predict asthma development.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Pulmonology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Wheezing affects 30% of children under three during respiratory infections.
  • Infants are more susceptible to wheezing due to anatomical, immunological, and molecular factors.
  • Viral infections can trigger wheezing in both immunocompetent and immunodeficient infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the causes and management of wheezing in infants.
  • To discuss the prediction of asthma in persistent wheezing infants.
  • To outline treatment strategies for infant wheezing.

Main Methods:

  • Review of population-based birth cohort studies.
  • Analysis of factors contributing to infant wheezing.
  • Evaluation of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Main Results:

  • Wheezing is common in infants, linked to viral infections and airway anatomy.
  • Asthma prediction in persistent wheezers is possible.
  • Allergy testing is valuable for identifying avoidable allergens.
  • Treatment varies by etiology; bronchodilator response is unpredictable.
  • Inhaled steroids may benefit specific infant wheezing cases.
  • Specific treatments exist for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) bronchiolitis in high-risk infants.

Conclusions:

  • Infant wheezing has multifactorial causes requiring individualized management.
  • Early identification of allergens and appropriate treatment can improve outcomes.
  • Further research into predicting and managing persistent wheezing and asthma is warranted.

More Related Videos

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels05:31

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

Published on: August 7, 2017

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 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-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-III: Symptoms and Complications01:24

Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications

Asthma, a common chronic respiratory condition, is classified considering the frequency and severity of symptoms alongside lung function impairment. Understanding this classification is essential for appropriate treatment and management. Here's a detailed look at the classification of asthma and its clinical features and complications:
Classification of Asthma
Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation01:17

Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation

In terms of human respiration, the act of expelling air, known as exhalation (or expiration), operates on the principle of pressure gradients. During expiration, the pressure within the lungs exceeds that of the surrounding atmosphere. Under normal conditions, quiet breathing involves passive exhalation and is free of muscular contractions. This is because the exhalation process is driven by the natural elastic recoil of the lungs and chest wall, both of which have an inherent tendency to...
Allergic Reactions02:06

Allergic Reactions

Overview