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Auricular Acupressure as an Adjuvant Treatment for Wheezing in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
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Prednisolone reduces recurrent wheezing after first rhinovirus wheeze: a 7-year follow-up

Minna Lukkarinen1, Heikki Lukkarinen, Pasi Lehtinen

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland. mimapo@utu.fi

Pediatric Allergy and Immunology : Official Publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
|February 5, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Human rhinovirus is a significant risk factor for recurrent wheezing in young children. Early corticosteroid treatment may benefit infants with rhinovirus-induced wheezing and eczema.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Viral Respiratory Infections
  • Clinical Trial Analysis

Background:

  • Childhood recurrent wheezing is a common concern with various contributing factors.
  • Human rhinovirus (HRV) is frequently implicated in acute wheezing episodes in infants.
  • Identifying early risk factors is crucial for predicting long-term respiratory outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate human rhinovirus-associated wheeze as a risk factor for childhood recurrent wheezing.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of oral prednisolone in preventing recurrent wheezing in young children.
  • To analyze risk factors and treatment responses in a cohort of first-time wheezing infants.

Main Methods:

  • A 7-year follow-up of 111 hospitalized wheezing children (median age 12 months).
  • Initial participation in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral prednisolone.
  • Post-hoc analysis of risk factors for recurrent wheezing and subgroup evaluation of prednisolone efficacy.

Main Results:

  • Rhinovirus detection was the strongest independent risk factor for recurrent wheezing (HR 3.54).
  • Other significant risk factors included sensitization (HR 3.47), age <1 year (HR 2.45), and eczema (HR 2.33).
  • Prednisolone showed a potential benefit in reducing recurrent wheezing in children with HRV and/or eczema (OR 0.32 and 0.27, respectively).

Conclusions:

  • HRV-associated wheeze is a critical risk factor for recurrent wheezing and subsequent asthma in young children.
  • Corticosteroid therapy may be beneficial for infants experiencing HRV-induced wheezing, particularly those with eczema.
  • Further prospective randomized trials are needed to confirm the efficacy of corticosteroids in HRV-associated early wheezing.
Abstract

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